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History consists, for the greater part, of the miseries brought upon the world by pride, ambition, avarice, revenge, lust, sedition, hypocrisy, ungoverned zeal, and all the train of disorderly appetite.
Edmund Burke
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Human suffering often arises from negative traits such as pride and ambition.

This quote by Edmund Burke highlights how many of humanity's greatest tragedies and conflicts can be traced back to detrimental human traits like pride, ambition, and avarice. It serves as a cautionary reminder that unchecked desires and negative emotions can lead to significant historical consequences, suggesting that a more introspective and humble approach might have mitigated such miseries throughout the ages.

Themes

HistoryHuman NatureMiseriesPrideAmbition

In practice

Example use cases

During a speech on the importance of humility in leadership, one might cite this quote to emphasize the dangers of excessive pride.

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