This quote implies that the human tendency to rationalize everything, to seek reason and logic in all things, can often lead to a sense of isolation and emptiness. When we rely solely on our reason, we may discard anything that doesn’t fit into our logical framework, including emotions, spirituality, and the mysteries of life that cannot be easily explained. This can result in a ‘desert’ – a barren, lifeless place where only reason exists, devoid of other aspects of human experience that give life its richness and depth.

Applying this to personal development, it suggests the importance of balance. While reason is a powerful tool for understanding the world, it should not be the only one we use. Emotions, intuition, and other non-rational elements of our being also have their place and should be acknowledged and valued. If we ignore these aspects, we risk ending up in our own personal ‘desert’, disconnected from our full human experience.

In today’s world, this quote could be applied to the way we approach complex issues such as climate change, social justice, or even the ongoing pandemic. These issues cannot be understood or solved through reason alone. They also require empathy, compassion, and a willingness to acknowledge uncertainty and ambiguity. If we try to address these issues using only our reason, we may end up ‘ruling over a desert’, with solutions that lack humanity and fail to take into account the complex, interrelated nature of our world.