January 12, 2025

It is a great error to speak of the things of this world absolutely and indiscriminately and to deal with them, as it were, by the book. In nearly all things one must make distinctions and exceptions because of the differences in their circumstances. These circumstances are not covered by one and the same rule. Nor can these distinctions and exceptions be found written in books. They must be taught by discretion.

Francesco Guicciardini (1483–1540), Italian historian and statesman, Ricordi, C, 6

How fine-tuned is your moral sensibility? Can you trust to your own judgment (i.e., your own discretion) on matters?

Dr. Johnson said that patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel. It may be said with equal concision that the enforcement of the letter of the law is the first refuge of those who don’t understand its spirit.