Man's vanity may well approach the infinite in capacity…
““Man's vanity may well approach the infinite in capacity but his knowledge remains imperfect and howevermuch he comes to value his judgments ultimately he must submit them before a higher court. Here there can be no special pleading. Here are considerations of equity and rectitude and moral right rendered void and without warrant and here are the views of the litigants despised. Decisions of life and death, of what shall be and what shall not, beggar all question of right. In elections of these magnitudes are all lesser ones subsumed, moral, spiritual, natural.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Human vanity is limitless, yet knowledge is flawed; ultimate judgment belongs to a higher moral authority.
In simple terms: Pride exceeds knowledge; higher justice prevails.
Key Takeaway
Recognize limits of personal judgment.
Themes
vanity
knowledge
justice
ethics
humility
Mood
somber
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- legal decisions
- political elections
- personal dilemmas
- ethical debates
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
human fallibility
authority
equity
Questions to Reflect On
- What constitutes a “higher court” in personal ethics?
- How can we temper vanity with humility?
A Different Perspective
Higher authority may be ambiguous or contested.