'Tis never for their wisdom that one loves the wisest, or for their wit that one loves the wittiest; 'tis for benevolence, and virtue, and honest fondness, one loves people; the other qualities make one proud of loving them too.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- People love others for kindness and virtue, not merely for intelligence or wit; admiration of qualities can become prideful.
- In plain terms
- We love people for their good hearts, not just their smarts.
- What can you take from it?
- Value benevolence over brilliance when forming relationships.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do we balance admiration for intellect and character?
Another view
Intellect can also be a genuine source of attraction.
More from Hester Thrale
A physician can sometimes parry the scythe of death, but has no power over the sand in the hourglass.
Permalink to quote #2 Women bear Crosses better than Men do, but bear Surprizes - worse.
Permalink to quote #3 The tree of deepest root is found Least willing still to quit the ground; 'Twas therefore said by ancient sages, That love of life increased with years. So muc…
Permalink to quote #4
Related quotes
'Your novel has been read,' Woland began, turning to the master, 'and the only thing said about it was that, unfortunately, it is not finished. So, then, I wan…
Mikhail BulgakovMikhail Bulgakov quote #1 A kiss may not be the truth, but it is what we wish were true.
Steve MartinSteve Martin quote #4 He who is in love is wise and is becoming wiser, sees newly every time he looks at the object beloved, drawing from it with his eyes and his mind those virtues…
Ralph Waldo EmersonRalph Waldo Emerson quote #5