Quote by William Hazlitt

We are the creatures of imagination, passion, and self-will, more than of reason or even of self-interest. Even in the common transactions and daily intercourse of life, we are governed by whim, caprice, prejudice, or accident. The falling of a teacup puts us out of temper for the day; and a quarrel that commenced about the pattern of a gown may end only with our lives.


We are the creatures of imagination, passion, and self-will,

Summary

This quote emphasizes how human beings are driven by their imagination, passions, and personal desires more so than reason or self-interest. It suggests that even in our everyday interactions and decisions, we are often influenced by fleeting emotions, irrational preferences, biases, or random events. The quote uses examples like getting upset over a small inconvenience or a trivial argument escalating into something much more serious. Overall, it suggests that our actions are often dictated by the unpredictable and whimsical aspects of human nature, rather than logical rationality.

By William Hazlitt
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