--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: An excellent man, like precious metal, is…" description: "\"An excellent man, like precious metal, is in every way invariable; A villain, like the beams of a balance, is always varying, upwards and downwards.\" —..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b5/john-locke-814_balance_an-excellent-man-like-precious-metal-is_2672617.jpg" --- # An excellent man, like precious metal, is in every way… ![“An excellent man, like precious metal, is in every way invariable; A villain, like the beams of a balance, is always varying, upwards and downwards.” quote by John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b5/john-locke-814_balance_an-excellent-man-like-precious-metal-is_2672617.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b5/john-locke-814_balance_an-excellent-man-like-precious-metal-is_2672617.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b5/john-locke-814_balance_an-excellent-man-like-precious-metal-is_2672617.jpg) > “An excellent man, like precious metal, is in every way invariable; A villain, like the beams of a balance, is always varying, upwards and downwards.” [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A virtuous person remains steady like unchanging metal, while a corrupt person fluctuates like a balance beam. **In simple terms:** Good people stay consistent; bad people swing up and down. Key Takeaway Seek consistency in character. Themes virtue consistency character morality Mood reflective serious Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - leadership - personal development - ethical decision making - conflict resolution Key Concepts Stoicism ethical stability Questions to Reflect On - How do you maintain steadiness under pressure? - What triggers variability in others? A Different Perspective Even virtuous people can be swayed by circumstances. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Balance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balance/) [Excellent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellent/) [Excellent Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellent-man-1533569/) [Greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness/) [Invariable Villain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/invariable-villain-2515125/) [Precious metal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/precious-metal/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Villain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/villain/) [Villain Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/villain-like-2515126/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [I would think that would be really liberating to play like a real cad or a villain or something like that, and that's something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-wilson/i-would-think-that-would-be-really-liberating-to-play-like-a-real-cad/) [Luke Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-wilson/) > [I don't have any characteristics that are usually associated with a villain. 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