Aspiration Quote by Anthony Trollope
“The good and the bad mix themselves so thoroughly in our thoughts, even in our aspirations, that we must look for excellence rather in overcoming evil than in freeing ourselves from its influence.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Way We Live Now, 1875
Human thoughts blend good and bad, so striving for excellence means confronting evil rather than escaping it.
In simple terms: We must face flaws to achieve greatness.
Key Takeaway
Confront imperfections directly.
Themes
ethics
human nature
self‑improvement
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- decision making
- leadership
- personal development
Key Concepts
dualism
moral complexity
personal growth
Questions to Reflect On
- What evil do you need to confront?
- Can excellence be pursued without acknowledging flaws?
A Different Perspective
Focusing solely on evil can lead to paralysis.
![“One of the great crimes of the Bloomberg/Klein administration [in New York City] is that they've removed themselves from communities, as if communities have nothing to say about what their needs and aspirations are for themselves and for their children.” quote by Bill Ayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cfb/bill-ayers-1848_administration_one-of-the-great-crimes-of-the-bloomberg_36172.jpg)
