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About this quote

What does it mean?
Tragedy often stems from internal flaws and passions rather than external villains. We betray ourselves through our own false nature.
In plain terms
People ruin their lives with their own flaws not enemies.
What can you take from it?
Internal flaws cause more harm than external enemies.

Where it applies

  • conflict resolution
  • self-reflection
  • drama

Putting it to work

  • check your biases
  • control impulses
  • own your faults

Questions to consider

  • What internal flaw do you struggle with?
  • Do we make our own tragedies?

Another view

It ignores the reality that external oppression causes real tragedy.

More from George Meredith

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  3. What are we first? First, animals; and next Intelligences at a leap; on whom Pale lies the distant shadow of the tomb, And all that draweth on the tomb for tex…

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