Race prejudice is the devil unchained.
Charles W. ChesnuttRead
Selfishness is the most constant of human motives. Patriotism, humanity, or the love of God may lead to sporadic outbursts sweep away the heaped-up wrongs of centuries; but they languish at times, while the love of self works on ceaselessly, unwearyingly,burrowing always at the very root of life, and heaping up fresh wrongs for other centuries to sweep away.
Interpretation
Selfishness is a fundamental and unchanging aspect of human nature that often drives our actions.
In this quote, Chesnutt highlights selfishness as an inherent and persistent human motive that overshadows other ideals like patriotism or love for humanity. While these values may inspire actions that promote collective good, they are temporary and inconsistent compared to the relentless and continuous nature of self-interest, which ultimately contributes to a cycle of wrongs that perpetuates suffering over time.
In practice
During a debate on moral philosophy, one might reference this quote to illustrate the predominant role of selfishness in human actions.
Race prejudice is the devil unchained.
Boredom is the dream bird that hatches the egg of experience. A rustling in the leaves drives him away.
With no matter what human being, taken individually, I always find reasons for concluding that sorrow and misfortune do not suit him; either because he seems too mediocre for anything so great, or, on the contrary, too precious to be destroyed.
If you blame others for something that happens in your life, then you must wait until they change in order to get better.
Life is not a struggle, not a tension. Life has not to be suffering. Life is bliss
Life is bigger than processes and overflows and dwarfs them.
I like to speak on matters which matter to human beings, and almost everything matters to human beings.
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