We are born sensitive and from our birth onwards we are…
““We are born sensitive and from our birth onwards we are affected in various ways by our environment. As soon as we become conscious of our sensations we tend to seek or shun the things that cause them, at first because they are pleasant or unpleasant, then because they suit us or not, and at last because of judgments formed by means of the ideas of happiness and goodness which reason gives us. These tendencies gain strength and permanence with the growth of reason, but hindered by our habits they are more or less warped by our prejudices. Before this change they are what I call Nature within us.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Human nature is shaped by early sensory experiences and later rational judgments, yet habits and prejudices distort this innate “Nature.”
In simple terms: Our senses and reason shape us, but habits warp us.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and question habitual biases.
Themes
philosophy
human nature
education
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
critical
Type
maxim
philosophical
When to use this quote
- child upbringing
- self‑reflection
- counseling
- policy making
Key Concepts
empiricism
rationalism
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What early experiences still influence you?
- How do you challenge your own prejudices?
A Different Perspective
Reason alone cannot fully correct ingrained habits.