How seldom is generosity perfect and pure! How often do men give because it throws a certain inferiority on those who receive, and superiority on themselves!
Habit is the cement of society, the comfort of life, and, alas! The root of error.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Habits shape our society and daily lives, but they can also lead us astray.
This quote by Fulke Greville reflects on the dual nature of habits. On one hand, they provide stability and comfort, forming the foundation upon which society is built. On the other hand, habitual behaviors can also lead to mistakes or errors in judgment, suggesting that while routines can be beneficial, they can also blind us to new perspectives and possibilities. It emphasizes the importance of being aware of our habits to avoid stagnation and to foster growth.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech on self-improvement, one may quote this to emphasize the importance of being mindful about habits.
More from Fulke Greville, 1St Baron Brooke
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If you think of yourselves as helpless and ineffectual, it is certain that you will create a despotic government to be your master. The wise despot, therefore, maintains among his subjects a popular sense that they are helpless and ineffectual.
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REJECT ALL FORMS OF CORRUPTION THAT DIVERT RESOURCES FROM THE POOR
Who really can face the future? All you can do is project from the past, even when the past shows that such projections are often wrong. And who really can forget the past? What else is there to know?