Able Quote by Epictetus
“The cause of all human evils is the not being able to apply general principles to special cases.”
About This Quote
Human suffering stems from misapplying universal rules to unique situations, leading to moral failings.
In simple terms: Applying broad rules to specific cases causes harm.
Key Takeaway
Adapt principles to context.
Themes
ethics
logic
human nature
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
advice
When to use this quote
- legal judgments
- medical decisions
- education policy
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
Stoicism
principle application
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance universal values with individual differences?
- When is it appropriate to bend a principle?
A Different Perspective
Overgeneralization can ignore vital nuances.
![“[I]t is true that [the provisions of the Bill of Rights] were designed to meet ancient evils. But they are the same kind of human evils that have emerged from century to century whenever excessive power is sought by the few at the expense of the many.” quote by Hugo Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e73/hugo-black-10272_ancient_i-t-is-true-that-the-provisions-of-the-b_2532900.jpg)
