Appraise Quote by Emily Greene Balch
“As to judging our own time, and thereby gaining some basis for a judgment of future possibilities, we are doubtless not only too close to it to appraise it but too much formed by it and enclosed within it to do so.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “Judging Time and Future Possibilities”, 1915
Notes that being too close to the present biases our judgment of both current and future events, urging perspective.
In simple terms: Proximity clouds judgment of past and future.
Key Takeaway
Seek distance for clearer insight.
Themes
time perception
bias
future planning
self‑awareness
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
strategic
When to use this quote
- historical analysis
- personal forecasting
- strategic planning
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
philosophy
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you gain perspective?
- What tools help assess future possibilities?
A Different Perspective
Some decisions require immediate action despite bias.
