Home > Topic > The propensity
1 " The propensity to excessive simplification is indeed natural to the mind of man, since it is only by abstraction and generalisation, which necessarily imply the neglect of a multitude of particulars, that he can stretch his puny faculties so as to embrace a minute portion of the illimitable vastness of the universe. But if the propensity is natural and even inevitable, it is nevertheless fraught with peril, since it is apt to narrow and falsify our conception of any subject under investigation. To correct it partially - for to correct it wholly would require an infinite intelligence - we must endeavour to broaden our views by taking account of a wide range of facts and possibilities; and when we have done so to the utmost of our power, we must still remember that from the very nature of things our ideas fall immeasurably short of the reality. "
― James George Frazer , The Magic Art and the Evolution of Kings, Part 1
2 " As nature has uncovered from under this hard shell the seed for which she most tenderly cares - the propensity and vocation to free thinking - this gradually works back upon the character of the people, who thereby gradually become capable of managing freedom; finally, it affects the principles of government, which finds it to its advantage to treat men, who are now more than machines, in accordance with their dignity. "
― Immanuel Kant , An Answer to the Question: What Is Enlightenment?
3 " While humans have the propensity to develop a suite of prosocial behaviors, they are also capable of developing antisocial behavior, engaging in substance abuse, experiencing depression, and bearing children at an early age...Young people who develop aggressive behavior tendencies are likely to develop problems with tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use; to fail academically; to have children at an early age;and to raise children likely to have the same problems. "
― Anthony Biglan , The Nurture Effect: How the Science of Human Behavior Can Improve Our Lives and Our World
4 " But that was what research and development were like. Full of semi-triumphs and perplexing unforeseen consequences like the whole violent hiccuping thing when conjuring up fire - or the propensity for fillings to fall out of bystanders' teeth when attempting to tease a rainstorm out of a cloud. "
― Jasper Fforde , The Song of the Quarkbeast (The Last Dragonslayer, #2)
5 " Timing is easy to predict through the movement of the stars as they give the propensity of pure potential. "
― Ambika Devi
6 " All animals understand love and affection, but only man shows the propensity to place himself into the shoes of another life form "
― The Cruxshadows
7 " The mind has the Propensity to Excel along the Path of least resistance thereby ostracising other equally important " concepts" It is this lack of restrictions of the mind that separates our intellectually aptitude "
8 " Anyone who has lost track of time when using a computer knows the propensity to dream, the urge to make dreams come true and the tendency to miss lunch. "
9 " Women are degraded by the propensity to enjoy the present moment, and, at last, despise the freedom which they have not sufficient virtue to struggle to attain. "
