Look, suppose that there was one among all those who…
““Look, suppose that there was one among all those who desire nothing but material and filthy lucre, that one, at least, is like my old Inquisitor, who himself ate roots in the desert and raved, overcoming his flesh, in order to make himself free and perfect, but who still loved mankind all his life, and suddenly opened his eyes and he saw that there is no great moral blessedness in achieving perfection of the will only to become convinced, at the same time, that millions of the rest of God's creatures have been set up only for mockery, that they will never be strong enough to manage their freedom, that from such pitiful rebels will never come giants to complete the tower, that it was not for such geese that the great idealist dreamt his dream of harmony.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A pursuit of perfect will and moral perfection can become detached from humanity, leading to isolation and mockery.
In simple terms: Perfection can alienate and dehumanize.
Key Takeaway
Seek balance between ideals and empathy.
Themes
morality
idealism
humanity
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
literary
existential
When to use this quote
- personal goal setting
- ethical decision making
- spiritual practice
- community service
Key Concepts
willpower
spirituality
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile personal ideals with caring for others?
- Can perfection be humane?
A Different Perspective
Extreme idealism may ignore practical compassion.