What is the nature of man?

The philosophers did not prescribe feelings proportionate to the two states. They inspired impulses of pure greatness, and this is not the state of man. They inspired impulses of pure abasement, and this is not the state of man. There must be impulses of abasement prompted not by nature but by penitence, not as lasting state but as a stage towards greatness. There must be impulses of greatness, prompted not by merit but by grace, and after the stage of abasement has been passed. -- Pascal Pense # 398

Sometimes I'm optimistic about people. Sometimes I'm really down on people. I'm right all the time. But I need to start holding both thoughts at once.