What actions are the most excellent? Those, certainly, which most powerfully appeal to the great primary human affections: to those elementary feelings which subsist permanently in the race, and which are independent of time. These feelings are permanent and the same; that which interests them is permanent and the same also.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Excellent actions appeal to permanent human feelings that do not change with time.
- In plain terms
- Best actions touch feelings everyone has that never change.
- What can you take from it?
- Appeal to universal human feelings for lasting impact.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What feelings do you share with others?
- Do some truths stay the same?
Another view
What feels universal may vary across cultures or eras.
More from Matthew Arnold
We, in some unknown Power's employ, Move on a rigorous line; Can neither, when we will, enjoy, Nor, when we will, resign.
Permalink to quote #17 Strew on her roses, roses, And never a spray of yew. In quiet she reposes: Ah! would that I did too.
Permalink to quote #19 Ah! two desires toss about The poet's feverish blood; One drives him to the world without, And one to solitude.
Permalink to quote #16
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