Men are rather reasoning than reasonable animals for the…
“Men are rather reasoning than reasonable animals for the most part governed by the impulse of passion. This is a truth well understood by our adversaries who have practised upon it with no small benefit to their cause. For at the very moment they are eulogizing the reason of men & professing to appeal only to that faculty, they are courting the strongest & most active passion of the human heart - VANITY!”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage argues that humans are driven more by passion than reason, and that vanity exploits this tendency.
In simple terms: Passion outweighs reason; vanity manipulates.
Key Takeaway
Beware of passion-driven decisions.
Themes
human nature
logic
vanity
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- leadership
- public persuasion
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
psychology
politics
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can reason be reinforced in decision‑making?
- What safeguards limit vanity’s influence?
A Different Perspective
Reason can be overridden by strong emotions.