Those who restrain desire, do so because theirs is weak enough to be restrained; and the restrainer or reason usurps its place & governs the unwilling.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Only those with weak desires can restrain them; reason often wrongly takes over the role of desire.
- In plain terms
- You only restrain desire if it is weak; reason shouldn't rule over it.
- What can you take from it?
- Restraint often masks weakness rather than virtue.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What desires do you restrain?
- Who governs your actions?
Another view
This view dismisses the value of self-discipline in favor of impulse.
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