"La société doit toujours exiger un peu plus des êtres humains que ce qu'elle obtiendra en pratique"

This quote gets to the heart of a fundamental truth about society: we often set high expectations for each other, knowing full well that perfection is unattainable. It's a bit like aiming for the stars—we might not reach them, but we'll achieve more than if we never tried at all.

Historically, this idea has been echoed in various forms. Think about the ancient Greeks and their concept of "arete," which is striving for excellence. They knew humans aren't perfect, but aiming for arete pushed individuals and society to better themselves.

Let’s dive into a real-life example to see how this plays out. Picture a classroom where the teacher sets high standards for her students. She knows not every student will hit the mark, but by setting the bar high, she encourages them to push themselves. In the end, even if they don't all become straight-A students, they've learned more and grown more than if the expectations were low.

So how can we apply this wisdom in our own lives? First, set ambitious goals for yourself. Don’t be afraid to aim high, even if you think you might fall short. It’s about the journey and the effort you put in. Second, recognize that it’s okay not to be perfect. Cut yourself some slack when you don’t meet those high standards—remember, it’s about progress, not perfection.

Now, let’s make this a bit more relatable. Imagine you’ve decided to run a marathon. You’ve never been a runner, but you set the goal anyway. You start training, setting mini-goals along the way. Maybe you aim to run a mile without stopping, then five, then ten. On race day, you might not finish in record time; heck, you might not even finish at all. But think about all the progress you made from where you started. You’re fitter, more disciplined, and you’ve pushed your limits more than if you’d never set that big goal.

In essence, this quote reminds us that while society—and we ourselves—might demand a lot, it’s the act of striving that brings out our best. So, keep setting those high standards, knowing the real value lies in the effort and growth, not in achieving perfection.