At certain epochs, man has felt conscious of something…
““At certain epochs, man has felt conscious of something about himself - body and spirit - which was outside the day-to-day struggle for existence and the night-to-night struggle with fear; and he has felt the need to develop these qualities of thought and feeling so that they might approach as nearly as possible to an ideal of perfection - reason, justice, physical beauty, all of them in equilibrium. He has managed to satisfy this need in various ways - through myths, through dance and song, through systems of philosophy and through the order that he has imposed upon the visible world.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Humans seek to develop thought and feeling toward an ideal balance of reason, justice, and beauty, using myths, arts, philosophy, and order.
In simple terms: People strive for balanced perfection.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate balanced ideals.
Themes
philosophy
art
humanism
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
cultural
When to use this quote
- education
- creative arts
- community building
Key Concepts
reason
justice
beauty
balance
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you define personal perfection?
- Which medium best expresses your ideals?
A Different Perspective
Ideal balance may be unattainable.