Go forward with joyful confidence.
George EliotRead
And certainly, the mistakes that we male and female mortals make when we have our own way might fairly raise some wonder that we are so fond of it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the folly of human decision-making and our persistent affection for pursuing our own desires despite the mistakes we make.
George Eliot's quote highlights the inherent contradictions in human nature, where individuals continue to pursue their own paths despite the inevitable mistakes that arise from such choices. It suggests that there is a paradoxical fondness for our autonomy and decision-making, even when it leads to questionable outcomes. The wonder lies in our ability to keep striving for personal desires while being aware of the potential for error, illustrating a deep aspect of human psychology and our complex relationship with choice and consequence.
Themes
MistakesHuman NatureChoicesDesiresPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about the value of perseverance, one could reference this quote to illustrate the importance of embracing our decisions despite their flaws.
More from George Eliot
All quotes →You must love your work, and not be always looking over the edge of it, wanting your play to begin. And the other is, you must not be ashamed of your work, and think it would be more honorable to you to be doing something else. You must have a pride in your own work and in learning to do it well.
George EliotRead
She thought it was part of the hardship of her life that there was laid upon her the burthen of larger wants than others seemed to feel – that she had to endure this wide hopeless yearning for that something, whatever it was, that was greatest and best on this earth.
George EliotRead
Life seems to go on without effort when I am filled with music.
George EliotRead
I think I should have no other mortal wants, if I could always have plenty of music. It seems to infuse strength into my limbs and ideas into my brain. Life seems to go on without effort, when I am filled with music.
George EliotRead
Our dead are never dead to us until we have forgotten them: they can be injured by us, they can be wounded; they know all our penitence, all our aching sense that their place is empty, all the kisses we bestow on the smallest relic of their presence.
George EliotRead
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