Those who apply themselves too closely to little things, such as purchasing Christmas candles, a Christmas wreath, and butter for all the Christmas baking-to-come, often become incapable of great things, such as buying an actual Christmas tree.
We have not enough strength to follow all our inclinations to buy a Christmas tree.
If we had a Christmas tree we should not complain of the Christmas fervor of others, including their Christmas trees.
If we had no faults, such as the procrastination of buying a Christmas tree, we should not take so much pleasure in noting the faults of others, such as, I don't know, what Christmas-related folly have you committed?
(via La Rochefoucauld)
