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Prejudices Quote by George Eliot

“But to minds strongly marked by the positive and negative qualities that create severity,— strength of will, conscious rectitude of purpose, narrowness of imagination and intellect, great power of self-control, and a disposition to exert control over others,— prejudices come as the natural food of…” quote by George Eliot
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““But to minds strongly marked by the positive and negative qualities that create severity,— strength of will, conscious rectitude of purpose, narrowness of imagination and intellect, great power of self-control, and a disposition to exert control over others,— prejudices come as the natural food of tendencies which can get no sustenance out of that complex, fragmentary, doubt-provoking knowledge which we call truth.””

George Eliot

About This Quote

Source Book: Middlemarch by George Eliot, 1871

A rigid mindset focused on strict moral binaries and self‑control lacks the nuanced understanding needed for true truth.

In simple terms: Strict moral thinking blocks deeper truth.

Key Takeaway

Embrace complexity over rigidity.

Themes

morality willpower truth mindset

Mood

reflective critical

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • personal growth
  • education
  • leadership
  • conflict resolution

Key Concepts

philosophy psychology ethics

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does strict moral thinking limit understanding?
  • Can flexibility improve truth‑seeking?
A Different Perspective

Such rigidity can hinder empathy and adaptability.

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