A man who would be a success the world must first of all be a judge of moods, for untimely speeches will offend the ears and hurt the feelings of others, and so fail in their purpose. He has to beware of such occasions. But falling sick and bearing children and dying - these things take no account of moods. They do not cease because they are untimely. The shifting changes of birth, life, sickness, and death, the real great matters - these are like the surging flow of a fierce torrent, which delays not for an instant but straightway pursues its course. And so, for both priest and layman, there must be no talk of moods in things they must needs accomplish. They must be free from this care and that, they must not let their feet linger.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- While mood matters for speech, life events like death ignore timing.
- In plain terms
- Speech needs timing, but life events like death do not.
- What can you take from it?
- Act decisively on essential tasks regardless of mood.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What tasks must you do?
- How does mood affect you?
Another view
It undervalues emotional readiness.
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