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Certainly it was ordained as a scourge upon the pride of…

“Certainly it was ordained as a scourge upon the pride of human wisdom, that the wisest of us all, should thus outwit ourselves, and eternally forego our purposes in the intemperate act of pursuing them.” quote by Laurence Sterne
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“Certainly it was ordained as a scourge upon the pride of human wisdom, that the wisest of us all, should thus outwit ourselves, and eternally forego our purposes in the intemperate act of pursuing them.”

Laurence Sterne

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Human intellect can become a self‑defeating trap when pride drives us to chase goals beyond our capacity, leading to self‑sabotage.

In simple terms: Pride makes us chase impossible goals, causing self‑sabotage.

Key Takeaway

Beware pride, set realistic aims.

Themes

pride hubris self‑sabotage knowledge humility

Mood

reflective cautious

Type

literary philosophical cautionary

When to use this quote

  • academic research
  • personal goal setting
  • leadership decisions
  • creative projects
  • ethical dilemmas

Key Concepts

philosophy psychology literature

Questions to Reflect On

  • Do you let pride dictate your goals?
  • How can humility guide your pursuits?
A Different Perspective

Even modest ambition can be corrupted by pride, limiting true wisdom.

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