Moral activity? There is scarcely such a thing possible! Everything is sketchy. The world does nothing but sketch.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Nightingale argues that true moral action is nearly impossible because reality is often vague and incomplete. She suggests the world operates on drafts rather than finished, ethical deeds.
- In plain terms
- Real moral action is rare because the world is full of unfinished ideas.
- What can you take from it?
- Recognize that imperfection is the norm in human affairs.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do we define success in an imperfect world?
- Is morality about action or intention?
Another view
It overlooks the impact of small, incomplete moral actions.
More from Florence Nightingale
To have no food for our heads no food for our hearts, no food for our activity, is that nothing? If we have no food for the body, how do we cry out, how all th…
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