Though he had both esteem and admiration for the…
![“Though he had both esteem and admiration for the sensibility of the human race, he had little respect for their intelligence: man has always found it easier to sacrifice his life than to learn the multiplication table. [Mr Harrington's washing]” quote by W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/a0e/w-somerset-maugham-237_admiration_though-he-had-both-esteem-and-admiration_120835.jpg)
““Though he had both esteem and admiration for the sensibility of the human race, he had little respect for their intelligence: man has always found it easier to sacrifice his life than to learn the multiplication table. [Mr Harrington's washing]””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The author admires humanity’s sensibility but criticizes its lack of intellect, noting people prefer dying over learning basic arithmetic.
In simple terms: Humans value feeling over simple knowledge.
Key Takeaway
Intelligence is undervalued compared to sentiment.
Themes
human nature
intelligence
education
critique
Mood
skeptical
wry
Type
philosophical observation
social critique
When to use this quote
- educational reform debates
- philosophical discussions
Key Concepts
cognitive laziness
cultural critique
Practical Applications
- highlighting need for basic education
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do people resist simple learning?
- How does sentiment hinder rationality?
A Different Perspective
Overgeneralizes; many value education highly.