We pass for what we are. Character teaches above our…
“We pass for what we are. Character teaches above our wills. Men imagine that they communicate thier virtue or vice by overt actions, and do not see that virtue or vice emit a breath ever moment…One tendency unites them all. The voyage of the best ship is a zsig zag line of a hundred tacks. See the line from a sufficent distance and it straightens itslef to the average tendency.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A philosophical claim that character, not willpower, determines actions; virtue or vice is continuously expressed, and the path of the best person is irregular yet trends toward average when viewed from afar.
In simple terms: Character shapes behavior more than intention; life’s course appears straight when observed from a distance.
Key Takeaway
True character reveals itself through consistent actions.
Themes
character
virtue
philosophy
human nature
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
Type
philosophical observation
moral aphorism
When to use this quote
- leadership decisions
- ethical dilemmas
- personal self‑assessment
Key Concepts
moral psychology
determinism
Practical Applications
- Practice observing outcomes rather than intentions to gauge character.
Questions to Reflect On
- Can we ever truly separate will from character?
- How does perspective alter our judgment of others?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor of a ship’s zig‑zag may oversimplify complex moral development.