I may be permitted, like the doctors, to cure a greater…
“I may be permitted, like the doctors, to cure a greater evil by a less, for I shall not fall seriously in love with the young widow, I think, nor she with me - that's certain - but if I find a little pleasure in her society I may surely be allowed to seek it; and if the star of her divinity be bright enough to dim the lustre of Eliza's, so much the better, but I scarcely can think it”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A doctor wrestles with duty and desire, choosing restraint over love to avoid moral compromise.
In simple terms: Doctor chooses duty over love.
Key Takeaway
Balance professional ethics with personal feelings.
Themes
ethics
love
duty
selfrestraint
Mood
conflicted
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- medical practice
- marriage decisions
- personal relationships
- career choices
Key Concepts
moral conflict
professional boundaries
Questions to Reflect On
- Can love coexist with strict duty?
- When is self‑restraint necessary?
A Different Perspective
Human emotions can conflict with professional obligations.