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Self-will in the man who does not reckon wisely is by itself the weakest of all things.
Aeschylus
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Self-will alone, without wise judgment, is ineffective and weak.

This quote by Aeschylus suggests that having strong willpower without the ability to make wise decisions leads to ineffectiveness and weakness. It emphasizes the importance of combining determination with wisdom in order to achieve meaningful outcomes.

Themes

Self-WillWisdomDecision-MakingStrengthWeakness

In practice

Example use cases

During a motivational speech on personal growth, one might say this quote to emphasize the need for wise decision-making.

More from Aeschylus

A god implants in mortal guilt whenever he wants utterly to confound a house.
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Neither a life of anarchy nor a life under a despot should you praise. To all that lies in the middle has a god given excellence.
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In every tyrant's heart there springs in the end this poison, that he cannot trust a friend.
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It is not the oath that makes us believe the man, but the man the oath.
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In war, truth is the first casualty.
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There is no pain so great as the memory of joy in present grief.
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