Human Nature Quotes

There is a destiny which has the control of our actions, not to be resisted by the strongest efforts of human nature.

We must take human nature as we find it, perfection falls not to the share of mortals.

We have errors to correct. We have probably had too good an opinion of human nature in forming our confederation.

Can it be, that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a Nation with its virtue? The experiment, at least, is recommended by every sentiment which ennobles human Nature. Alas! is it rendered impossible by its vices?

Few men are capable of making a continual sacrifice of all views of private interest, or advantage, to the common good. It is vain to exclaim against the depravity of human nature on this account; the fact is so, the experience of every age and nation has proved it and we must in a great measure, change the constitution of man, before we can make it otherwise. No institution, not built on the presumptive truth of these maxims can succeed.

A small knowledge of human nature will convince us, that, with far the greatest part of mankind, interest is the governing principle; and that almost every man is more or less, under its influence. Motives of public virtue may for a time, or in particular instances, actuate men to the observance of a conduct purely disinterested; but they are not of themselves sufficient to produce persevering conformity to the refined dictates and obligations of social duty.

You will, by the dignity of your Conduct, afford occasion for Posterity to say, when speaking of the glorious example you have exhibited to Mankind, had this day been wanting, the World had never seen the last stage of perfection to which human nature is capable of attaining.

Men's minds are as variant as their faces, and, where the motives of their actions are pure, the operation of the former is no more to be imputed to them as a crime, than the appearance of the latter; for both, being the work of nature, are alike unavoidable.

When one side only of a story is heard and often repeated, the human mind becomes impressed with it insensibly.

To err is nature, to rectify error is glory.

We have never stopped sin by passing laws; and in the same way, we are not going to take a great moral ideal and achieve it merely by law.

The search for a scapegoat is the easiest of all hunting expeditions.

There are three classes of people: those who see, those who see when they are shown, those who do not see.

An average human looks without seeing, listens without hearing, touches without feeling, eats without tasting, moves without physical awareness, inhales without awareness of odour or fragrance, and talks without thinking.

It is an acknowledged fact that we perceive errors in the work of others more readily than in our own.

Vows begin when hope dies.

Threats alone are the weapons of the threatened man.

Such is the supreme folly of man that he labours so as to labour no more.

Ordinarily men exercise their memory much more than their judgment.

There are two levers for moving men, interest and fear.