Accounts Quote by Maximus the Confessor
“A passion is a contranatural movement of the soul or an irrational love, or an blindfold hatred toward any material thing, or because of it: for example, for food, or for women, or for riches, or for worldly glory, or any other sensible thing; or for the sake of such things, as in a senseless hatred for someone on account of the things mentioned above.”
About This Quote
The quote describes how intense desires or aversions—whether love or hatred—can dominate the soul irrationally, turning ordinary objects or goals into obsessive drives that may lack rational justification.
In simple terms: Strong emotions can irrationally dominate our soul.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and temper extreme attachments.
Themes
desire
aversion
irrationality
spirituality
ethics
Mood
conflicted
reflective
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- wealth pursuits
- career ambition
- political power
- material consumption
Key Concepts
attachment
obsession
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives your strongest attachments?
- How can you balance desire with reason?
A Different Perspective
Such passions can lead to loss of self‑control and ethical compromise.
