It is a misfortune, inseparable from human affairs, that…
“It is a misfortune, inseparable from human affairs, that public measures are rarely investigated with that spirit of moderation which is essential to a just estimate of their real tendency to advance or obstruct the public good; and that this spirit is more apt to be diminished than prompted, by those occasions which require an unusual exercise of it.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Public policies often lack moderate, objective analysis, leading to biased judgments about their benefits or harms.
In simple terms: Policies are rarely examined fairly.
Key Takeaway
Seek balanced, evidence‑based evaluation of policies.
Themes
politics
policy
moderation
justice
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- legislative debates
- policy drafting
- public hearings
- government reports
Key Concepts
public good
bias
assessment
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we institutionalize moderation in policy review?
- What checks prevent bias in public decisions?
A Different Perspective
Moderation can be hard to maintain under pressure.