I do not admire a virtue like valour when it is pushed to…
“I do not admire a virtue like valour when it is pushed to excess, if I do not see at the same time the excess of the opposite virtue, as one does in Epaminondas, who displayed extreme valour and extreme benevolence. For otherwise it is not an ascent, but a fall. We do not display our greatness by placing ourselves at one extremity, but rather by being at both at the same time, and filling up the whole of the space between them.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
True greatness lies in balancing opposing virtues rather than extreme excess of one, filling the middle ground.
In simple terms: Balance virtues, avoid extremes.
Key Takeaway
Seek middle ground.
Themes
virtue
balance
moderation
greatness
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- leadership
- personal development
- conflict resolution
- team dynamics
Key Concepts
philosophy
ethics
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you cultivate both courage and compassion?
- What risks arise from focusing on a single virtue?
A Different Perspective
Excess of any virtue can become a vice if unbalanced.