I have often thought of it as one of the most barbarous customs in the world, considering us as a civilized and a Christian country, that we deny the advantages of learning to women.
Daniel DefoeRead
I know not what to call this, nor will I urge that it is a secret, overruling decree, that hurries us on to be the instruments of our own destruction, even though it be before us, and that we rush upon it with our eyes open.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on humanity's tendency to pursue destructive paths knowingly.
In this quote, Daniel Defoe contemplates the paradox of human behavior where individuals seem to recognize the dangers they face yet choose to pursue them regardless. It suggests an inherent flaw in human nature, characterized by a recklessness towards self-destruction that persists even in the face of clear consequences, prompting reflections on free will and fate.
Themes
Self-DestructionHuman NatureConsequencesAwarenessRecklessness
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on mental health, one could use this quote to highlight how individuals often ignore signs of distress.
More from Daniel Defoe
All quotes βThese reflections made me very sensible of the goodness of Providence to me, and very thankful for my present condition, with all its hardships and misfortunes ; and this part also I cannot but recommend to the reflection of those who are apt, in their misery, to say, Is any affliction like mine? Let them consider how much worse the cases of some people are, and their case might have been, if Providence had thought fit.
Daniel DefoeRead
And which I take notice of here, to put those discontented people in mind of it, who cannot enjoy comfortably what God has given them, because they see and covet something that he has not given them. All our discontents about what we want appeared to me to spring from the want of thankfulness for what we have.
Daniel DefoeRead
I have since often observed, how incongruous and irrational the common temper of mankind is, especially of youth ... that they are not ashamed to sin, and yet are ashamed to repent; not ashamed of the action for which they ought justly to be esteemed fools, but are ashamed of the returning, which only can make them be esteemed wise men.
Daniel DefoeRead
Thus fear of danger is ten thousand times more terrifying than danger itself when apparent to the eyes ; and we find the burden of anxiety greater, by much, than the evil which we are anxious about.
Daniel DefoeRead
I hear much of people's calling out to punish the guilty, but very few are concerned to clear the innocent.
Daniel DefoeRead
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