It is now almost my sole rule of life to clear myself of cants and formulas, as of poisonous Nessus shirts.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- One should reject hollow conventions and rigid rules that constrain authentic living.
- In plain terms
- Avoid following empty habits or strict rules that hurt you.
- What can you take from it?
- Discard outdated habits and rigid beliefs to live freely.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What conventions do you follow without thinking?
- How do you define your own rules?
Another view
Some structure and tradition provide necessary stability in life.
More from Thomas Carlyle
Speech is human, silence is divine, yet also brutish and dead: therefore we must learn both arts.
Permalink to quote #1 The Public is an old woman. Let her maunder and mumble.
Permalink to quote #3 A witty statesman said, you might prove anything by figures.
Permalink to quote #4
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