Man, at least when educated, is a pessimist. He believes it safer not to reflect on his achievements; Jove is known to strike such people down.

Summary

This quote suggests that educated individuals tend to be pessimistic. They perceive it as safer to not dwell on their accomplishments as they fear that some higher power, like the god Jove, may punish them for their hubris. Therefore, they choose to downplay their achievements to avoid potential negative consequences. It implies that pessimism and reluctance to reflect on success stem from a cautious mindset ingrained in educated individuals.

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