I always do the first line well, but I have trouble doing the others.
MoliereRead
Esteem must be founded on preference: to hold everyone in high esteem is to esteem nothing.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True esteem comes from valuing certain individuals over others; universal esteem lacks depth.
In this quote, Moliere suggests that genuine esteem requires discernment and preference. If one attempts to hold everyone in equal high regard, the value of that esteem diminishes, as it lacks specificity and meaning. Esteem is deeper when it reflects personal values and preferences, allowing for a richer appreciation of individuals and their unique qualities.
Themes
EsteemPreferenceValueRelationshipsDiscernment
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of valuing relationships, one could use this quote to highlight meaningful connections.
More from Moliere
All quotes →Beauty without intelligence is like a hook without bait.
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Betrayed and wronged in everything, I’ll flee this bitter world where vice is king, And seek some spot unpeopled and apart Where I’ll be free to have an honest heart. - Molière, The Misanthrope
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Long is the road from conception to completion.
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Oh, I may be devout, but I am human all the same.
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Hypocrisy is a fashionable vice, and all fashionable vices pass for virtue.
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