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"Je compte juger les choses par moi-même juger à tort je pense est plus honorable que de ne pas juger du tout"

Henry James
Henry James Author
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Quote meaning
Judging things for yourself is about trusting your own perceptions and opinions, even if you might get it wrong sometimes. It’s more admirable to make a decision and stand by it than to avoid making a choice altogether. This idea encourages personal responsibility and confidence in one’s own judgment.

Historically, this sentiment could be seen as a pushback against blindly following authority or societal norms. Think about periods like the Enlightenment, when people began to emphasize individual reasoning over accepting traditional doctrines. It’s a call to action for taking control of your own thoughts and decisions rather than being passive.

Let’s bring this idea to life with a real-world example. Imagine you're a project manager at a tech company. You need to decide which software to use for a new project. You do your research, weigh the pros and cons, and pick one. Maybe in the end, it turns out there was a better choice you missed. But you made a call based on the information you had. You showed leadership and took responsibility. That’s valuable. It’s a lot better than sitting on the fence, paralyzed by the fear of making the wrong choice, and ultimately doing nothing.

So, how do you apply this in your life? First, get comfortable with the idea that it’s okay to make mistakes. Next time you face a decision, gather the facts, trust your gut, and go for it. And if it turns out you were wrong, don’t beat yourself up. Learn from it and keep moving forward. It’s all part of growing and getting better at judging things for yourself.

Here’s a relatable story. Picture a college student named Alex. Alex has always been a bit of a people-pleaser, always going along with what friends and family suggest. When it comes time to pick a major, Alex is torn. Everyone says to go into business—it’s safe, it’s lucrative. But Alex has a passion for art. Instead of just following the crowd, Alex decides to trust their own judgment and major in graphic design. It’s a risk, sure. There’s no guaranteed path to success. But Alex feels more fulfilled and engaged in their studies. Even if the art career doesn’t pan out perfectly, Alex can look back and know they made a choice that was true to them, rather than living with the regret of not following their heart.

In the end, it’s about living authentically. When you make your own judgments, you’re taking an active role in your life. You’re not just letting things happen to you—you’re shaping your own path. Sure, you might mess up sometimes. Everybody does. But it’s more respectable to make your own calls and deal with the consequences than to avoid responsibility altogether. So, next time you’re faced with a decision, big or small, remember this: it’s better to judge and stumble than to never take a stand at all.
Related tags
Accountability Critical thinking Decision-making Honor Individuality Moral courage Personal responsibility Self-judgment Self-reliance Wisdom
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