As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is…
“As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to exercise it, different opinions will be formed. As long as the connection subsists between his reason and his self-love, his opinions and passions will have a reciprocal influence on each other, and the former will be objects to which the latter attach themselves.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Human reason is fallible and intertwined with self‑interest, shaping opinions and passions reciprocally.
In simple terms: Reason and self‑love influence beliefs and emotions.
Key Takeaway
Recognize bias in your reasoning.
Themes
philosophy
politics
psychology
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- debates
- policy making
- personal decision making
Key Concepts
rationality
self‑interest
cognitive bias
Questions to Reflect On
- How do your passions affect your judgments?
- Can you separate self‑interest from reason?
A Different Perspective
Reasoning can be clouded by emotion or misinformation.