As there is no evil however small but may cause him to…
““As there is no evil however small but may cause him to groan under it, who has his heart undisciplined, so there is no calamity however great but may cause him to despair, who has his feelings in control. A laughing child would cry, a crying child would laugh, without a sufficient cause. 'It can be teased or tickled into anything.' A grown-up child is he who cannot hold sway over his passions. He should die a slave to his heart, which is wayward and blind, if he be indulgent to it.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote warns that lack of self‑discipline makes even minor evils cause suffering, and uncontrolled emotions lead to despair; true mastery requires governing one’s passions.
In simple terms: Without self‑control, small harms cause great pain and emotions emotions cause despair.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate inner discipline to master emotions.
Themes
self‑discipline
emotional control
philosophy
human nature
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- stress management
- conflict resolution
- leadership
- mental health
Key Concepts
Stoicism
psychology
virtue ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you recognize when a minor irritation is inflating your distress?
- What practices help you keep emotions in check?
A Different Perspective
Self‑control is difficult to maintain under pressure.