He who would do good to another must do it in minute particulars; General good is the plea of the scoundrel, hypocrite, and flatterer: For art and science cannot exist but in minutely organized Particulars.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- True benevolence requires attention to specific details rather than abstract ideals. Generalized claims of good often mask hypocrisy, while real progress happens in organized specifics.
- In plain terms
- Do good by focusing on small, specific actions instead of big vague ideas.
- What can you take from it?
- Focus on concrete details to achieve real positive change.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Are you focusing on the abstract or the specific?
- How do you define doing good?
Another view
Sometimes broad principles are necessary to guide many specific actions.
More from William Blake
I must Create a System, or be enslav'd by another Man's; I will not Reason and Compare: my business is to Create.
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