Ambition Quote by George Santayana
“Christianity persecuted, tortured, and burned. Like a hound it tracked the very scent of heresy. It kindled wars, and nursed furious hatreds and ambitions... Man, far from being freed from his natural passions, was plunged into artificial ones quite as violent and much more disappointing.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Life of Reason, 1905
The passage argues that suppressing natural passions leads to artificial, often more violent, desires, suggesting that true freedom comes from acknowledging rather than denying innate drives.
In simple terms: Suppressing natural urges creates worse artificial ones.
Key Takeaway
Embrace and understand natural passions.
Themes
psychology
philosophy
human nature
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
social commentary
When to use this quote
- moral education
- mental health
- spiritual growth
Key Concepts
repression
artificial desire
violence
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies channel natural passions constructively?
- What are the risks of labeling desires as 'unnatural'?
A Different Perspective
Denial can intensify conflict and disappointment.
