Some men -- not all men -- see always before them an…
“Some men -- not all men -- see always before them an ideal, a mental picture if you will, of what they ought to be, and are not. Whoso seeks to follow this ideal revealed to the mental vision, whoso seeks to attain to conformity with it, will find it enlarge itself, and remove from him. He that follows it will improve his own moral character, but the ideal will remain always above him and before him, prompting him to new exertions.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Pursuing an ideal pushes moral improvement, yet the ideal remains ever higher, driving continual effort.
In simple terms: Chasing ideals improves character but never fully satisfies.
Key Takeaway
Use ideals as motivation, not a source of frustration.
Themes
idealism
self-improvement
motivation
ethics
Mood
inspirational
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- career advancement
- personal development
- creative projects
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
moral development
goal setting
self-actualization
Questions to Reflect On
- What ideal guides you?
- How do you balance striving and contentment?
A Different Perspective
Ideal can cause perpetual dissatisfaction if unattainable.