---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The greatest part of mankind labor under…"
description: "\"The greatest part of mankind labor under one delirium or another; and Don Quixote differed from the rest, not in madness, but the species of it. The co..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/608/henry-fielding-1358_coffee_the-greatest-part-of-mankind-labor-under_71021.png"
---

#  The greatest part of mankind labor under one delirium or…

![“The greatest part of mankind labor under one delirium or another; and Don Quixote differed from the rest, not in madness, but the species of it. The covetous, the prodigal, the superstitious, the libertine, and the coffee-house politician, are all Quixotes in their several ways.” quote by Henry Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/608/henry-fielding-1358_coffee_the-greatest-part-of-mankind-labor-under_71021.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/608/henry-fielding-1358_coffee_the-greatest-part-of-mankind-labor-under_71021.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/608/henry-fielding-1358_coffee_the-greatest-part-of-mankind-labor-under_71021.png)

> “The greatest part of mankind labor under one delirium or another; and Don Quixote differed from the rest, not in madness, but the species of it. The covetous, the prodigal, the superstitious, the libertine, and the coffee-house politician, are all Quixotes in their several ways.”

[Henry Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-fielding/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Human behavior is driven by various obsessions, and Don Quixote exemplifies a distinct, perhaps more noble, form of madness compared to other common follies.

**In simple terms:** Different obsessions shape human actions.

Key Takeaway

Madness varies by motive.

Themes

human nature obsession madness individuality societal critique

Mood

ironic critical thoughtful

Type

observation satire philosophical

When to use this quote

- political debate
- personal ambition
- social gatherings
- intellectual salons

Key Concepts

psychology literature social behavior

Practical Applications

- literary analysis
- cultural commentary

Questions to Reflect On

- What distinguishes noble from base obsession?
- How does society label differing passions?

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[Coffee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coffee/) [Coffee houses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coffee-houses/) [Labor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/labor/) [Madness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/madness/) [Mankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mankind/) [Politician](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politician/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Prodigals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prodigals/) [Superstitious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superstitious/)

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