--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This unstable character of man, this…" description: "\"“This unstable character of man, this going from one extreme to the other, arising as it does out of his narrow vision and petty mind, reveals certain ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c0/fazlur-rahman-21909_character_this-unstable-character-of-man-this-goin_2563391.jpg" --- # This unstable character of man, this going from one… ![“This unstable character of man, this going from one extreme to the other, arising as it does out of his narrow vision and petty mind, reveals certain basic moral tensions within which human conduct must function if it is to be stable and fruitful. These contradictory extremes are, therefore, not…” quote by Fazlur Rahman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c0/fazlur-rahman-21909_character_this-unstable-character-of-man-this-goin_2563391.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c0/fazlur-rahman-21909_character_this-unstable-character-of-man-this-goin_2563391.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c0/fazlur-rahman-21909_character_this-unstable-character-of-man-this-goin_2563391.jpg) > ““This unstable character of man, this going from one extreme to the other, arising as it does out of his narrow vision and petty mind, reveals certain basic moral tensions within which human conduct must function if it is to be stable and fruitful. These contradictory extremes are, therefore, not so much a "problem" to be resolved by theological thought as tensions to be "lived with" if man is to be truly "religious," i.e., a servant of God. Thus, utter powerlessness and "being the measure for all things," hopelessness and pride, determinism and "freedom," absolute knowledge and pure ignorance—in sum, an utterly "negative self-feeling" and a "feeling of omnipotence"—are extremes that constitute natural tensions for proper human conduct. It is the "God-given" framework for human action. Since its primary aim is to maximize moral energy, the Qur’ān—which claims to be "guidance for mankind"—regards it as absolutely essential that man not violate the balance of opposing tensions. The most interesting and the most important fact of moral life is that violating this balance in any direction produces a "Satanic condition" which in its moral effects is exactly the same: moral nihilism. Whether one is proud or hopeless, self-righteous or self-negating, in either case the result is deformity and eventual destruction of the moral human personality.”” [Fazlur Rahman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fazlur-rahman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human morality balances opposing extremes; living with tension sustains ethical life. **In simple terms:** Moral balance requires embracing contradictions. Key Takeaway Embrace tension, avoid extremes. Themes ethics spirituality psychology Mood reflective serious Type theological philosophical When to use this quote - personal decision making - conflict resolution - spiritual practice Key Concepts dialectics balance theology Questions to Reflect On - How do you manage opposing urges? - What tensions shape your moral choices? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on balance may ignore necessary change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [Human personality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-personality/) [Islam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/islam/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Servant of god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/servant-of-god/) ## Related quotes > [Are there any good arguments in defence of moral nihilism? 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