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The progress of rivers to the ocean is not so rapid as that of man to error.
Voltaire
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Humans often make mistakes at a quicker pace than nature's slow and steady progress.

In this quote, Voltaire highlights the inherent tendency of human beings to err and make wrong choices more rapidly than the natural world evolves. It reflects on the impulsiveness and fallibility of mankind, suggesting that while natural processes take their time, human mistakes are frequent and swift, reminding us of the importance of self-awareness and reflection.

Themes

ErrorProgressHuman NatureMistakesWisdom

In practice

Example use cases

This quote is perfect for a philosophy class discussing human fallibility.

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