You may be sure that when a man begins to call himself a realist he is preparing to do something that he is secretly ashamed of doing.
Interpretation
This quote suggests that claiming to be a 'realist' often masks a person's guilt or shame about their actions.
Sydney J. Harris highlights the psychological defense mechanisms individuals may employ when justifying actions they lack confidence in. By labeling themselves as 'realists,' people may attempt to rationalize questionable decisions or behaviors, indicating an internal struggle between their ethical standards and their actions.
In practice
This quote can be used in a discussion about moral dilemmas and personal ethics.
A person is either himself or not himself; is either rooted in his existence or is a fabrication; has either found his humanhood or is still playing with masks and roles and status symbols. And nobody is more aware of this difference (although unconsciously) than a child. Only an authentic person can evoke a good response in the core of the other person; only person is resonant to person.
We evaluate others with a Godlike justice, but we want them to evaluate us with a Godlike compassion.
The commonest fallacy among women is that simply having children makes them a mother - which is as absurd as believing that having a piano makes one a musician.
Man's unique agony as a species consists in his perpetual conflict between the desire to stand out and the need to blend in.
"Terrorism" is what we call the violence of the weak, and we condemn it; "war" is what we call the violence of the strong, and we glorify it.
At it's highest level, the purpose of teaching is not to teachβit is to inspire the desire for learning. Once a student's mind is set on fire, it will find a way to provide its own fuel.
Drinking when we are not thirsty and making love at all seasons, madam: that is all there is to distinguish us from other animals.
I am what a romantic movie is to a profound thinker - a mere diversion, a comic interlude, something that is soon forgotten.
We must strive to become good ancestors.
Lat take a cat, and fostre him wel with milk, And tendre flesh, and make his couche of silk, And let him seen a mous go by the wal; Anon he weyveth milk, and flesh, and al, And every deyntee that is in that hous, Swich appetyt hath he to ete a mous.
The knife of corruption endangered the life of New York City. The scalpel of the law is making us well again.
I believe that men are generally still a little afraid of the dark though the witches are all hung, and Christianity and candles have been introduced.
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