Never does Nature say one thing and Wisdom another.

Juvenal
About This Quote

This is a quote from the book of Proverbs. It seems as if nature says one thing and wisdom another. Nature says, “Yield thou to your lusts, and they will destroy you; flee from your desires and they will lead you into temptation.” Wisdom says, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” What this means is that we should not always listen to nature and follow her lead blindly, but we should also not always let wisdom dictate our decisions. We must make our own choices; we must make our own choices based on what is best for us, not what is best for nature or the rest of humanity.

Source: The Sixteen Satires

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More Quotes By Juvenal
  1. Never does Nature say one thing and Wisdom another.
  2. Besides what endless brawls by wives are bred, The curtain lecture makes a mournful bed.
  3. Fate would have no divinity if we were wise: it is we who make her a goddess and place her in heaven.
  4. Honesty is admired, and starves.
  5. Must this with farce and folly rack myhead unpunish'd ? that with sing-song, Whine me dead?
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