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About this quote

What does it mean?
He argues judging a man requires knowing his thoughts, miseries, and emotions, not just material events; otherwise it's just a chronology of fools.
In plain terms
To judge someone, understand their inner life, not just outward facts.
What can you take from it?
Look beyond surface facts when evaluating people.

Where it applies

  • personnel reviews
  • historical analysis

Putting it to work

  • ask about motivations
  • consider emotional context

Questions to consider

  • How can we responsibly assess someone's character?
  • What limits do we face?

Another view

It may be impossible to fully know another's inner world.

More from Honore de Balzac

  1. Je te le declare, en mon ame et conscience, la conquete du pouvoir ou d'une grande renommee litteraire me paraissait un triomphe moins difficile a obtenir qu'u…

    Permalink to quote #39
  2. Peut-etre veulent-elles [les femmes] un peu d'hypocrisie?

    Permalink to quote #41
  3. Le bonheur ne vient-il donc pas de l'ame?

    Permalink to quote #38

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