"Reason is, and ought only to be the slave of the passions"

The quote basically means that our emotions and desires drive us, and our logical thinking is there to serve those emotions. It's not that reason is unimportant—far from it. But, in this view, it’s our passions that set the direction, and reason helps us get there.

This idea comes from the philosopher David Hume, who lived in the 18th century. He argued that human behavior is primarily driven by desire rather than rational thought. Hume saw reason as a tool, not a leader. This was quite a big deal at the time because people often thought reason should dominate our lives.

Imagine you're trying to get fit. Your passion is wanting to feel healthy and strong. That’s your driving force. Now, reason steps in to figure out the best workout plan, diet, and routine to achieve your goal. Without that passion, though, you wouldn't have the motivation to even start.

Think about an artist passionate about painting. The love for creating beautiful things drives them to pick up the brush every day. Reason helps them decide what techniques to use, how to mix colors, and the best ways to improve their skills. But without that initial passion, they’d never create anything.

If you want to apply this wisdom in your life, start by figuring out what you’re passionate about. What gets you excited? Once you’ve got that, use your reason to map out how to pursue it effectively. Say you're passionate about helping others. Your passion might lead you to a career in healthcare. Reason will help you choose the right education path, find the best programs, and manage your time.

Here’s a story to illustrate this. Imagine a young woman named Emma. Emma always loved caring for animals. Her passion led her to volunteer at local shelters. This passion is the fire that keeps her going. But it's her reason that helps her navigate the complex world of veterinary medicine. She carefully plans her studies, meticulously saves money for tuition, and strategically applies for internships. Emma’s passion gives her direction, but reason makes the journey possible.

In your own life, think of passion as the fuel and reason as the GPS. You need both to get anywhere worthwhile. If you’ve got a dream, let your passion drive you, but don’t forget to use reason to figure out the best way to get there. You might have a passion for writing. That passion will get you through late nights and early mornings, but reason will help you learn grammar, structure, and storytelling techniques.

So, next time you’re feeling lost, ask yourself: What do I really care about? Let that passion guide you, and then use your reason to make a plan. It’s like having a heart and a brain. You need both to fully live.