Life's very difficult and full of surprises. At all…
“Life's very difficult and full of surprises. At all events, I've got as far as that. To be humble and kind, to go straight ahead, to love people rather than pity them, to remember the submerged--well, one can't do all these things at once, worse luck, because they're so contradictory. It's then that proportion comes in--to live by proportion. Don't begin with proportion. Only prigs do that. Let proportion come in as a last resource, when the better things have failed...”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Life is complex, contradictory, and requires humility, kindness, and proportion, but only after other virtues fail.
In simple terms: Life is messy and needs balance after other values fail.
Key Takeaway
Embrace humility, kindness, and proportion when needed.
Themes
humility
kindness
balance
contradiction
proportion
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- conflict resolution
- leadership
- relationship building
Key Concepts
ethical philosophy
human behavior
moral dilemmas
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you prioritize conflicting virtues?
- When is proportion most helpful?
A Different Perspective
Proportion may be too vague to guide concrete actions.