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About this quote

What does it mean?
Even critics of abstract ideas can fall into their own idealistic traps.
In plain terms
Aristotle tried to reject Plato's ideas but invented his own impossible ideal of happiness.
What can you take from it?
Be wary of creating perfect ideals even when critiquing others.

Where it applies

  • academic debate
  • self-critique
  • decision making

Putting it to work

  • question assumptions
  • avoid perfectionism
  • review logic

Questions to consider

  • Do your own ideals match reality?
  • What standards do you hold that might be chimeras?

Another view

It oversimplifies the historical philosophical arguments.

More from Sir Thomas Browne

  1. We term sleep a death, and yet it is waking that kills us, and destroys those spirits that are the house of life.

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  2. Half our days we pass in the shadow of the earth; and the brother of death exacteth a third part of our lives.

    Permalink to quote #33
  3. I am in no way facetious, nor disposed for the mirth and galliardize of company, yet in one dream I can compose a whole Comedy, behold the action, apprehend th…

    Permalink to quote #30

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