The mastery of nature is vainly believed to be an adequate substitute for self mastery.

Summary

This quote suggests that humans often believe that they can exert control over nature as a way to compensate for their lack of control over themselves. However, it argues that this assumption is futile and misguided. The quote implies that true mastery lies in being able to discipline oneself and exercise self-control, rather than attempting to dominate or manipulate the external world. In essence, it suggests that our attempts to control the natural world are ultimately fruitless if we neglect the importance of mastering our own thoughts, emotions, and desires.

Topics