Why should we desire the destruction of human passions? Take passions from human beings and what is left? The great object should be not to destroy passions, but to make them obedient to the intellect. To indulge passion to the utmost is one form of intemperance - to destroy passion is another. The reasonable gratification of passion under the domination of the intellect is true wisdom and perfect virtue.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Ingersoll argues that human passions should not be destroyed but governed by intellect to achieve true virtue.
- In plain terms
- Don't destroy human passions; instead, use intellect to control them for true wisdom.
- What can you take from it?
- Virtue comes from managing passions with reason, not eliminating them.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Should emotions be suppressed or guided?
- What is true temperance?
Another view
It assumes intellect always governs passion effectively.
More from Robert G. Ingersoll
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