An excellent man, like precious metal, is in every way invariable; A villain, like the beams of a balance, is always varying, upwards and downwards.
Interpretation
This quote suggests that a good person remains consistent in their values, while a wicked person is unpredictable and changes based on circumstances.
John Locke's quote emphasizes the contrast between the nature of a virtuous individual and that of a villain. An excellent man, akin to precious metal, maintains his integrity and virtues without deviation, reflecting a steadfastness in character. On the other hand, a villain's moral compass is unstable, shifting based on what serves their interests, much like the variable movements of the balance beam. This comparison illustrates the idea that true excellence in character is marked by consistency, while villainy is defined by inconsistency and opportunism.
In practice
This quote can be used in a motivational speech about personal integrity.
For where is the man that has incontestable evidence of the truth of all that he holds, or of the falsehood of all he condemns; or can say that he has examined to the bottom all his own, or other men's opinions? The necessity of believing without knowledge, nay often upon very slight grounds, in this fleeting state of action and blindness we are in, should make us more busy and careful to inform ourselves than constrain others.
There is frequently more to be learned from the unexpected questions of a child than the discourses of men.
Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it is thinking that makes what we read ours.
Our deeds disguise us. People need endless time to try on their deeds, until each knows the proper deeds for him to do. But every day, every hour, rushes by. There is no time.
New opinions are always suspected, and usually opposed, without any other reason but because they are not already common.
I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts.
Laws should be made to serve the people. People should not be made to serve the laws.
But the present world is also designed for something which has not yet happened. It is like a violin waiting to be played: beautiful to look at, graceful to hold - and yet if you'd never heard one in the hands of a musician, you wouldn't believe the new dimensions of beauty yet to be revealed.
Show us your Christ, Lady, after this our exile, yes: but show Him to us also now, show Him to us here, while we are still wanderers.
I liked looking on at other people in crucial situations. If there was a road accident or a street fight or a baby pickled in a laboratory jar for me to look at, I'd stop and look so hard I never forgot it.
Even though we may focus first on the rights of our own country, that does not mean that we should disregard the rights of everyone else.
The extreme weakness of quantum gravitational effects now poses some philosophical problems; maybe nature is trying to tell us something new here: maybe we should not try to quantize gravity.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.