Causes Quote by Samuel Johnson
“Very few live by choice. Every man is placed in his present condition by causes which acted without his foresight, and with which he did not always willingly cooperate; and therefore you will rarely meet one who does not think the lot of his neighbor better than his own.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Idler, 1759
People are shaped by circumstances beyond their control, making altruism rare and self-interest common.
In simple terms: Circumstances shape behavior.
Key Takeaway
Recognize external influences.
Themes
philosophy
human nature
ethics
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
essay
When to use this quote
- politics
- community building
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
determinism
social psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- Do we truly act selflessly?
- How can we foster empathy?
A Different Perspective
Overgeneralizes human motivation.
![“Well the first time I performed, my mom was like how she is now when sees me on stage – all red, smiling from ear to ear. So I don’t want to mess up, [be]cause she’s smiling. Seeing my mom happy is kind of like an overwhelming feeling.” quote by Chris Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/477/chris-brown-1887_causes_well-the-first-time-i-performed-my-mom-w_4699.jpg)