We must not draw general conclusions from certain particular principles, though, in the main, true ones. We must not suppose that, because a man is a rationa...

We must not draw general conclusions from certain particular principles, though, in the main, true ones. We must not suppose that, because a man is a rational animal, he will therefore always act rationally; or, because he has such or such a predominant passion, that he will act invariably and consequentially in the pursuit of it. No. We are complicated machines: and though we have one main spring, that gives motion to the whole, we have an infinity of little wheels, which, in their turns, retard, precipitate, and sometimes stop that motion.

quote by Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
Vote! | Copy!