And truly it is a very natural and ordinary thing to…
“And truly it is a very natural and ordinary thing to desire to acquire, and always, when men do it who can, they will be praised or not blamed; but when they cannot, and wish to do it anyway, here lies the error and the blame.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Critiques the desire for achievement when impossible, blaming ambition for error and blame.
In simple terms: Unrealistic ambition leads to fault.
Key Takeaway
Temper expectations.
Themes
ambition
ethics
failure
Mood
cautionary
analytical
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- career planning
- goal setting
- leadership
- personal development
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
political realism
Questions to Reflect On
- What goals are realistic for you?
- How do you handle unattainable desires?
A Different Perspective
Ambition can drive progress despite risks.