In each human heart are a tiger, a pig, an ass and a nightingale. Diversity of character is due to their unequal activity.
Interpretation
Every person has multiple facets to their character, representing different instincts and traits.
This quote by Ambrose Bierce highlights the complexity of human nature, suggesting that within each individual lies a blend of contrasting qualities represented by a tiger, pig, ass, and nightingale. The varying degrees of these traits lead to the diversity of character observed in different people, illustrating how our inner conflicts and harmonies shape who we are.
In practice
This quote can be used in a psychology class to discuss the complexity of human behavior.
PALM, n. A species of tree . . . of which the familiar "itching palm" ("Palma hominis") is most widely distributed . . . . This noble vegetable exudes a kind of invisible gum, which may be detected by applying to the bark a piece of gold or silver.
Human nature is pretty well balanced; for every lacking virtue there is a rough substitute that will serve at a pinch--as cunning is the wisdom of the unwise, and ferocity the courage of the coward.
Indigestion: A disease which the patient and his friends frequently mistake for deep religious conviction and concern for the salvation of mankind. As the simple Red Man of the Western Wild put it, with, it must be confessed, a certain force: 'Plenty well, no pray; big belly ache, heap God.'
Disobey n:To celebrate with an appropriate ceremony the maturity of a command
NOUMENON, n. That which exists, as distinguished from that which merely seems to exist, the latter being a phenomenon. The noumenon is a bit difficult to locate; it can be apprehended only by a process of reasoning - which is a phenomenon.
PARDON, v. To remit a penalty and restore to the life of crime. To add to the lure of crime the temptation of ingratitude.
Live near to God, and so all things will appear to you little In comparison to eternal realities.
What else can matter to us, other than how our lives feel from the inside?
Those who make some other person their job... are dangerous.
A person never knows their own true face. Everybody thinks that the phoney, posed social mask they wear is their real face.
It is while you are patiently toiling at the little tasks of life that the meaning and shape of the great whole of life dawn on you.
When we get up in the morning, what we put on is very much a reflection of how we see the world and how we want it to see us.
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