Character Quote by Arthur Schopenhauer
““The object of the intellect is to light and lead the will on its path, and therefore, the greater the force, impetus and passion, which spurs on the will from within, the more complete and luminous must be the intellect which is attached to it, that the vehement strife of the will, the glow of passion, and the intensity of the emotions, may not lead man astray, or urge him on to ill considered, false or ruinous action; this will, inevitably, be the result, if the will is very violent and the intellect very weak. On the other hand, a phlegmatic character, a weak and languid will, can get on and hold its own with a small amount of intellect; what is naturally moderate needs only moderate support.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The World as Will and Representation, Arthur Schopenhauer, 1818
The intellect should guide a strong will, ensuring passion and emotion do not cause reckless actions; a weak will needs less intellectual support.
In simple terms: Intellect guides will; strong will needs guidance.
Key Takeaway
Balance intellect and will.
Themes
philosophy
willpower
intellect
moderation
Mood
thoughtful
reflective
cautious
Type
philosophical
advice
warning
When to use this quote
- Decision making
- leadership
- personal development
- conflict resolution
- emotional regulation
Key Concepts
Ethics
human nature
self‑control
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you ensure your intellect guides strong passions?
- When is a moderate approach more effective than intense effort?
A Different Perspective
If intellect is too weak, it cannot restrain a violent will, leading to destructive outcomes.
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