We live, understandably enough, with the sense of urgency…
“We live, understandably enough, with the sense of urgency; our clock, like Baudelaire's, has had the hands removed and bears the legend, "It is later than you think." But with us it is always a little too late for mind, yet never too late for honest stupidity; always a little too late for understanding, never too late for righteous, bewildered wrath; always too late for thought, never too late for naïve moralizing. We seem to like to condemn our finest but not our worst qualities by pitting them against the exigency of time.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Human urgency leads to perpetual lateness, yet moral failings persist regardless of timing.
In simple terms: We’re always late, but moral errors never stop.
Key Takeaway
Recognize urgency but act wisely.
Themes
time
urgency
morality
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
advice
When to use this quote
- personal deadlines
- political decisions
- ethical debates
Key Concepts
philosophical fatalism
human error
Questions to Reflect On
- How does perceived time pressure affect ethical choices?
- Can urgency be a justification for moral lapses?
A Different Perspective
Urgency can excuse delay but not moral responsibility.