Read The Whole Passage

One sure way to irritate me is to quote a writer out of context. It is done often. And it is lazy. And often deceitful.

I love good analogies. Much like how Jesus taught–with brief stories of deep observation.

The Roman thinker Seneca said this about those who do that very thing. “Examine the separate parts, if you like, provided you examine them as parts of the man himself. She is not a beautiful woman whose ankle or arm is praised, but she whose general appearance makes you forget to admire her single attributes.”

Yes, I see someone and wish to know the whole person. Same with reading someone. It is cute to pick out aphorisms. Better is to understand the breadth and depth of their thinking.

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