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.
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.