Literary notes about fallible (AI summary)
In literature, "fallible" is used to emphasize the inherent imperfections of human nature in various dimensions. Authors employ the term to denote physical limitations, as when a character's "fallible legs" hamper his progress [1], and to highlight the broader susceptibility of human judgment and lawmaking to error [2]. It also serves as a confession of personal vulnerability, with characters humbly admitting their mortal nature—being "fallible mortals" rather than divine beings [3]—which contrasts sharply with claims of infallibility in sacred or authoritative contexts [4]. Moreover, "fallible" extends to critique institutions and systems, suggesting that even those best intended are subject to human error, thereby inviting a reflective caution before making absolute judgments [5, 6].
- She ran on ahead and Pats, after a short pursuit, gave up the chase, for his fallible legs were still unfit for speed.
— from The Pines of Lory by John Ames Mitchell - That some risk of error remains must be admitted, since human beings are fallible.
— from The Problems of Philosophy by Bertrand Russell - ‘Why, as to that, I can’t say: you know we’re all fallible creatures, Helen; we none of us deserve to be worshipped.
— from The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë - The Bible may be infallible, but your understanding of it is fallible, and therefore even with it you have no infallible rule of faith.
— from The Catholic World, Vol. 14, October 1871-March 1872 A Monthly Magazine of General Literature and Science by Various - "Human justice is fallible," laughed the old man.
— from A Young Man's Year by Anthony Hope - This concession on his part, instead of bringing him down to my fallible human level, instantly elevates him to a still higher caste.
— from Life's Minor Collisions by Frances Lester Warner
