He is happy whom circumstances suit his temper; but he is more excellent who suits his temper to any circumstance.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Hume distinguishes between happiness from matching circumstances and excellence from adapting temper to them.
- In plain terms
- Happiness is when circumstances fit you; excellence is when you fit circumstances.
- What can you take from it?
- Adapt yourself to the world for excellence.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What makes us excellent?
- Should we change ourselves?
Another view
Constant adaptation may suppress one's genuine needs.
More from David Hume
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