--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is not so much the being exempt from…" description: "\"It is not so much the being exempt from faults as the having overcome them that is an advantage to us; it being with the follies of the mind as with we..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/505/jonathan-swift-433_advantage_it-is-not-so-much-the-being-exempt-from_1217081.jpg" --- # It is not so much the being exempt from faults as the… ![“It is not so much the being exempt from faults as the having overcome them that is an advantage to us; it being with the follies of the mind as with weeds of a field, which if destroyed and consumed upon the place where they grow, enrich and improve it more than if none had ever sprung there.” quote by Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/505/jonathan-swift-433_advantage_it-is-not-so-much-the-being-exempt-from_1217081.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/505/jonathan-swift-433_advantage_it-is-not-so-much-the-being-exempt-from_1217081.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/505/jonathan-swift-433_advantage_it-is-not-so-much-the-being-exempt-from_1217081.jpg) > “It is not so much the being exempt from faults as the having overcome them that is an advantage to us; it being with the follies of the mind as with weeds of a field, which if destroyed and consumed upon the place where they grow, enrich and improve it more than if none had ever sprung there.” [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Overcoming personal faults yields greater benefit than never having them, as confronting and resolving mental flaws improves us more than their absence. **In simple terms:** Facing flaws makes us stronger. Key Takeaway Embrace and resolve your faults. Themes self-improvement resilience growth mindfulness Mood reflective determined Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal development - mental health - education - leadership Key Concepts psychology philosophy self-awareness Questions to Reflect On - What faults have you avoided confronting? - How can confronting a flaw improve your life? A Different Perspective Ignoring faults prevents learning and growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Advantage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advantage/) [Folly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/folly/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Overcoming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overcoming/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) ## Related quotes > [It is not so much the being exempt from faults, as having overcome them, that is an advantage to us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/it-is-not-so-much-the-being-exempt-from-faults-as-having-overcome/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Criticism is the disapproval of people, not for having faults, but having faults different from your own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/criticism-is-the-disapproval-of-people-not-for-having-faults-but/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There is more to fearlessness than merely having overcome fear... 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