The quote from Patrick O'Brian's "The Fortune of War" reflects on the complexity of human nature, suggesting that humans often act against rationality. It implies that traditional logical frameworks, such as those proposed by Jeremy Bentham and utilitarianism, fail to encompass the myriad of motivations that guide human actions. Instead, the nuances of human emotion and irrationality often take precedence over pure logical reasoning.

This perspective critiques the reliance on utilitarian principles in understanding human behavior. It asserts that many actions and decisions are driven by factors that are neither purely logical nor utilitarian, revealing the deeper, often illogical aspects of humanity. This notion emphasizes that to govern or manage people effectively, one must acknowledge and accommodate these irrational drives and impulses.