Unbounded courage and compassion join'd, Tempering each other in the victor's mind, Alternately proclaim him good and great, And make the hero and the man complete.
Joseph AddisonRead
It is only imperfection that complains of what is imperfect. The more perfect we are the more gentle and quiet we become towards the defects of others.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Only those who recognize their own flaws tend to criticize others, while self-improvement leads to greater empathy.
This quote by Joseph Addison suggests that it is often our own imperfections that lead us to criticize the flaws in others. As we strive for personal growth and perfection, we develop a gentler and more understanding attitude towards the shortcomings of those around us, fostering a sense of compassion rather than judgment.
Themes
ImperfectionEmpathyGrowthCompassionUnderstanding
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about personal growth during a team meeting, one might share this quote to inspire a culture of understanding.
More from Joseph Addison
All quotes βGood nature is more agreeable in conversation than wit and gives a certain air to the countenance which is more amiable than beauty.
Joseph AddisonRead
Ridicule is generally made use of to laugh men out of virtue and good sense, by attacking everything praiseworthy in human life.
Joseph AddisonRead
Admiration is a very short lived passion that immediately decays upon growing familiar with its object, unless it still be fed with fresh discoveries, and kept alive by a new perpetual succession of miracles rising up to its view.
Joseph AddisonRead
It is impossible for us, who live in the latter ages of the world, to make observations in criticism, morality, or in any art or science, which have not been touched upon by others. We have little else left us but to represent the common sense of mankind in more strong, more beautiful, or more uncommon lights.
Joseph AddisonRead
An ostentatious man will rather relate a blunder or an absurdity he has committed, than be debarred from talking of his own dear person.
Joseph AddisonRead
Similar quotes
Hope is not wishful thinking. It's not a temperament we're born with. It is a stance toward life that we can choose...not not. The real question for me, though, is whether m hope is effective, whether it produces or is just where I hide to ease my own pain.
Frances Moore LappRead
Sometimes attaining the deepest familiarity with a question is our best substitute for actually having the answer.
Brian GreeneRead
Half of your power lies in your sameness with others. The other half lies in your uniqueness.
Alan CohenRead
The more time goes on, the closer I am to the ground. I've been exposed to so many issues and people living under different pressures. It's helped me realize that a lot of glamorous things that people prioritize really don't matter.
Queen Rania Of JordanRead
I was destined to work with dying patients. I had no choice when I encountered my first AIDS patient. I felt called to travel some 250,000 miles each year to hold workshops that helped people cope with the most painful aspects of life, death and the transition between the two.
Elisabeth Kubler-RossRead
Even in dreams, you could not fall forever.
George R. R. MartinRead