The quote suggests that the root of all human problems lies in our inability to apply broad, overarching principles to specific, individual situations. In simpler terms, it’s about failing to connect the dots between what we know in theory and what we do in practice.

Consider the general principle of kindness. We all know it’s good to be kind, but when faced with a specific situation where someone is rude to us, we may react with anger or rudeness in return. Here, we fail to apply the general principle of kindness to this specific case.

In the context of today’s world, let’s take the example of climate change. The general principle is that we should protect our environment. But in our daily lives, we often ignore this, leaving lights on unnecessarily, wasting water, or using single-use plastics. We know the principle, but we fail to apply it to our specific actions, contributing to the global problem.

In terms of personal development, understanding this quote can lead to significant growth. For instance, we might know the principle that regular exercise is beneficial. But unless we apply this to our specific case – by finding a routine that suits us and sticking to it – we won’t reap the benefits.

So, the key is not just knowing the principles, but consciously applying them in our daily lives, in our specific situations. This gap between knowledge and action is where most human evils – or problems – stem from, according to Epictetus.