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Nothing touches my heart more quickly than a tribute of honor to a great and noble character; but as I sat in my seat and witnessed this demonstration, this assemblage seemed to me a human ocean in tempest. I have seen the sea lashed into fury and tossed into spray, and its grandeur moves the soul of the dullest man; but I remember that it is not the billows, but the calm level of the sea, from which all heights and depths are measured. When the storm has passed and the hour of calm settles on the ocean, when the sunlight bathes its peaceful surface, then the astronomer and surveyor take the level from which they measure all terrestrial heights and depths.

James A. Garfield#19

CalmEmotionJudgmentReflectionStabilityValue

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About this quote

What does it mean?
Honoring great characters moves the heart, but stable calm like the sea is needed to measure true value.
In plain terms
Praising good people is emotional, but calm reflection is needed to measure true value.
What can you take from it?
Calm reflection is better than emotional reaction for measuring value.

Where it applies

  • making decisions
  • evaluating leaders
  • personal reflection

Putting it to work

  • practice calm decision making
  • evaluate people objectively
  • avoid emotional reactions

Questions to consider

  • How do you balance emotion and reason?
  • Why is calm important for judgment?

Another view

Emotional responses can sometimes signal important moral truths.

More from James A. Garfield

  1. I thank you doctor, but I am a dead man

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  2. Gentlemen of the Convention, your present temper may not mark the healthful pulse of our people. When your enthusiasm has passed, when the emotions of this hou…

    Permalink to quote #20

  3. 'Whosoever controls the volume of money in any country is absolute master of all industry and commerce.... And when you realize the entire system is very easil…

    Permalink to quote #17

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