--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But the human character, however it may…" description: "\"But the human character, however it may be exalted or depressed by a temporary enthusiasm, will return by degrees to its proper and natural level, and ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/871/edward-gibbon-710_adapted_but-the-human-character-however-it-may-b_2379069.png" --- # But the human character, however it may be exalted or… ![“But the human character, however it may be exalted or depressed by a temporary enthusiasm, will return by degrees to its proper and natural level, and will resume those passions that seem the most adapted to its present condition.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/871/edward-gibbon-710_adapted_but-the-human-character-however-it-may-b_2379069.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/871/edward-gibbon-710_adapted_but-the-human-character-however-it-may-b_2379069.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/871/edward-gibbon-710_adapted_but-the-human-character-however-it-may-b_2379069.png) > “But the human character, however it may be exalted or depressed by a temporary enthusiasm, will return by degrees to its proper and natural level, and will resume those passions that seem the most adapted to its present condition.” [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human emotions fluctuate with temporary passions, but ultimately settle back to a natural baseline, guiding us toward suitable pursuits. **In simple terms:** Passions rise then settle to a natural level. Key Takeaway Accept emotional cycles and act accordingly. Themes philosophy history human nature Mood thoughtful analytical Type historical philosophical When to use this quote - career planning - relationship counseling - personal growth - creative projects Key Concepts temperament equilibrium Questions to Reflect On - How do you recognize a temporary enthusiasm? - What passions align with your current self? A Different Perspective Extreme emotions can distort judgment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adapted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adapted/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Character Exalted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character-exalted-1786213/) [Conditions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conditions/) [Degrees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/degrees/) [Enthusiasm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enthusiasm/) [Enthusiasm Return](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enthusiasm-return-5886447/) [Exalted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exalted/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Human Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-character/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Levels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/levels/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Natural](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) [Passion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passion/) [Resume Passions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resume-passions-5886448/) [Resumes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resumes/) [Return](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/return/) [Roman empire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/roman-empire/) [Seems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seems/) [Temporary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temporary/) [Temporary Enthusiasm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temporary-enthusiasm-5886446/) ## Related quotes > [The greatest ornament of an illustrious life is modesty and humility, which go a great way in the character even of the most exalted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/the-greatest-ornament-of-an-illustrious-life-is-modesty-and-humility/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [In less than seven years the vestiges of the Gothic invasion were almost obliterated, and the city appeared to resume its former splendour and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/in-less-than-seven-years-the-vestiges-of-the-gothic-invasion-were/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [To resume, in a few words, the system of the Imperial government, as it was instituted by Augustus, and maintained by those princes who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/to-resume-in-a-few-words-the-system-of-the-imperial-government-as-it/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [Another flaw in the human character is that everybody wants to build and nobody wants to do maintenance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/another-flaw-in-the-human-character-is-that-everybody-wants-to-build/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [The worth of a person’s thought is measured not by the quantity but by the quality of the support that it has got and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anuj/the-worth-of-a-person-s-thought-is-measured-not-by-the-quantity-but/) [Anuj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anuj/) > [We never know how much one loves till we know how much he is willing to endure and suffer for us; and it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/we-never-know-how-much-one-loves-till-we-know-how-much-he-is-willing/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [I'm way past the idea of using ideology or political view as a gauge of human character. 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