Belief like any other moving body follows the path of least resistance.
Samuel ButlerRead
Virtue knows that it is impossible to get on without compromise, and tunes herself, as it were, a trifle sharp to allow for an inevitable fall in playing.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the importance of compromise in achieving virtue and the need to adapt to life's uncertainties.
Samuel Butler's quote illustrates the concept that virtue requires an understanding of the necessity of compromise. It suggests that to navigate life's challenges effectively, one must accept that perfection is unattainable, and therefore, a degree of flexibility and self-adjustment is essential. Just as a musician might intentionally tune their instrument slightly sharper to accommodate potential mistakes in performance, individuals must also prepare for and embrace the imperfections and failures that come with striving for virtue.
Themes
VirtueCompromiseFlexibilityLifeFailures
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a motivational speech about resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges.
More from Samuel Butler
All quotes →To know God better is only to realize how impossible it is that we should ever know him at all. I know not which is more childish to deny him, or define him.
Samuel ButlerRead
Academic and aristocratic people live in such an uncommon atmosphere that common sense can rarely reach them.
Samuel ButlerRead
An apology for the devil: it must be remembered that we have heard one side of the case. God has written all the books.
Samuel ButlerRead
Young people have a marvelous faculty of either dying or adapting themselves to circumstances.
Samuel ButlerRead
People care more about being thought to have taste than about being thought either good, clever or amiable.
Samuel ButlerRead
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