Error Quote by René Descartes
““Whence then come my errors? They come from the sole fact that since the will is much wider in its range and compass than the understanding, I do not restrain it within the same bounds, but extend it also to things which I do not understand: and as the will is of itself indifferent to these, it easily falls into error and sin, and chooses the evil for the good, or the false for the true.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Meditations on First Philosophy, 1641
Human error arises when will exceeds understanding, leading us to judge unknown things as good and act wrongly.
In simple terms: Will outgrows knowledge, causing mistakes.
Key Takeaway
Align will with understanding.
Themes
philosophy
ethics
human nature
Mood
reflective
cautious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- making decisions
- self‑reflection
- learning
- teaching
Key Concepts
will
understanding
error
sin
judgment
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we better align our desires with what we truly know?
- What practices help restrain impulsive will?
A Different Perspective
Will alone cannot guarantee correct choices without knowledge.
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