Where do you draw the line between a humble man who knows his own weaknesses but tries to act out virtues he hasn't quite mastered yet, and a proud man who pretends to have those virtues without the slightest intention of acquiring them?
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Intent distinguishes someone trying to be virtuous from someone faking it.
- In plain terms
- You cannot tell if someone is growing or lying just by looking at their actions.
- What can you take from it?
- Intent matters when judging character.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Are you trying to be better or just seem better?
- How do you judge others?
Another view
Intent is hard to observe objectively.
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