Alas! we know that ideals can never be completely embodied…
“Alas! we know that ideals can never be completely embodied in practice. Ideals must ever lie a great way off--and we will thankfully content ourselves with any not intolerable approximation thereto! Let no man, as Schiller says, too querulously "measure by a scale of perfection the meager product of reality" in this poor world of ours.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Ideal standards are unattainable; we must accept imperfect but tolerable versions of them.
In simple terms: Perfect ideals are impossible; settle for good enough.
Key Takeaway
Recognize limits and appreciate reasonable approximations.
Themes
philosophy
idealism
realism
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- personal goals
- artistic creation
- education
Key Concepts
human nature
ethical standards
Questions to Reflect On
- What ideals are essential for you?
- How do you balance aspiration with practicality?
A Different Perspective
Rejecting perfection may lower ambition.