A man vows, and yet will not east away the means of…
““A man vows, and yet will not east away the means of breaking his vow. Is it that he distinctly means to break it? Not at all; but the desires which tend to break it are at work in him dimly, and make their way into his imagination, and relax his muscles in the very moments when he is telling himself over again the reasons for his vow.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Vows are fragile; internal desires subtly undermine them despite conscious resolve.
In simple terms: Desires can erode promises.
Key Takeaway
Align actions with intentions.
Themes
commitment
inner conflict
self‑deception
Mood
thoughtful
cautionary
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- marriage vows
- business contracts
- personal goals
- habit formation
Key Concepts
philosophy
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What hidden desires threaten your promises?
- How can you strengthen resolve against subconscious urges?
A Different Perspective
External pressures can reinforce breaking vows.