The scepticism which men affect towards their higher inspirations is often not an honest doubt, but a guilty negligence, and is a sign of narrow mind and defective wisdom.
Interpretation
People often dismiss their higher inspirations not due to true doubt, but because of negligence, which indicates a lack of wisdom.
This quote by James Martineau suggests that when individuals express skepticism towards their higher inspirations or feelings, it may not stem from genuine uncertainty or doubt. Instead, it may signal an unwillingness to act on or embrace these inspirations due to guilt or negligence, revealing a limited perspective and a deficiency in wise thinking. Martineau highlights the importance of acknowledging and valuing our higher callings rather than dismissing them out of fear or ignorance.
In practice
In a motivational speech about pursuing dreams, one might say this quote to encourage reflection on true inspirations.
The mere lapse of years is not life. To eat, to drink, and sleep; to be exposed to darkness and the light; to pace around in the mill of habit, and turn thought into an instrument of trade-this is not life. Knowledge, truth, love, beauty, goodness, faith, alone can give vitality to the mechanism of existence.
The experienced writer says to the anguished novice: 'Just do it; get something, anything, on to the screen or page, just establish a flow of words, and criticise them later.' You give this advice but can't always take it.
When we are unable to find tranquility within ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere.
Say what you have to say, not what you ought. Any truth is better than make-believe.
If you want to be wisely selfish, care for others
It is a wise thing to be polite; consequently, it is a stupid thing to be rude. To make enemies by unnecessary and willful incivility, is just as insane a proceeding as to set your house on fire. For politeness is like a counter--an avowedly false coin, with which it is foolish to be stingy.
I am grateful that my horizons were not narrowed at the outset.
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