If one sins against the laws of proportion and gives…
“If one sins against the laws of proportion and gives something too big to something too small to carry it - too big sails to too small a ship, too big meals to too small a body, too big powers to too small a soul - the result is bound to be a complete upset. In an outburst of hubris the overfed body will rush into sickness, while the jack-in-office will rush into the unrighteousness that hubris always breeds.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Excessive ambition or power beyond capacity leads to disorder and moral decay.
In simple terms: Overreaching causes collapse.
Key Takeaway
Align ambitions with realistic limits.
Themes
ethics
hubris
proportion
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- leadership
- personal health
- public policy
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
political theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What checks prevent hubris in leadership?
- How can societies enforce proportional power?
A Different Perspective
Human nature often resists self‑limitation.