Any one might say that we should be neither quite miserable nor quite happy. But to find out how far one MAY be quite miserable without making it impossible to be quite happy--that was a discovery in psychology. Any one might say, 'Neither swagger nor grovel'; and it would have been a limit. But to say, 'Here you can swagger and there you can grovel'--that was an emancipation.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- True psychological insight comes from knowing where specific behaviors are acceptable rather than setting general limits.
- In plain terms
- It is better to know when you can act freely than to set broad limits.
- What can you take from it?
- Define specific boundaries instead of general rules for behavior.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Where are you too rigid?
- When should you break the rule?
Another view
General rules can sometimes prevent necessary flexibility.
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