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'There are things which we feel to be good and true, though in the cold light of reason and calculation many things remain incomprehensible and dark. And though the society in which we live considers such actions thoughtless, or reckless, or I don't know what else, what can we say if once the hidden forces of sympathy and love have been roused in us? And though it may be that we cannot argue against the reasoning sentiment and to act from impulse, one would almost conclude that some people have cauterized certain sensitive nerves within them, especially those which, combined, are called conscience. Well, I pity those people; they travel through life without compass, in my opinion.

Vincent Willem Van Gogh#86

Van goghLoveEmpathyMoralityConscienceReason

About this quote

What does it mean?
Some actions are driven by love and sympathy beyond reason, and ignoring these feelings removes a vital moral compass.
In plain terms
Love and sympathy guide us when reason fails, and ignoring them leaves us lost.
What can you take from it?
Respect feelings of love and sympathy as moral guides.

Where it applies

  • judging others
  • moral decisions
  • social conflict

Putting it to work

  • empathize with others
  • value feelings
  • listen to conscience

Questions to consider

  • How do you weigh reason and feeling?
  • Do you trust your empathy?

Another view

Pure impulse without reason can sometimes lead to harmful actions.

More from Vincent Willem Van Gogh

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  2. There is no blue without yellow and without orange.

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  3. The only time I feel alive is when I'm painting.

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