Our ideals, like the gods of old, are constantly demanding human sacrifices.

This quote suggests that our ideals, much like the gods of old, require us to make sacrifices in order to achieve them. In ancient times, people often made sacrifices to their gods as a means of appeasement or in hopes of receiving blessings. Similarly, our ideals or goals demand certain sacrifices from us – it could be time, effort, comfort or even relationships.

The comparison with ‘gods of old’ also implies that these ideals hold a high level of importance and reverence in our lives. Just as those ancient deities were seen as supreme beings who held power over human fate and fortune, so too do our personal goals and ambitions hold sway over the course of our lives.

In today’s world this concept is highly relevant. For instance, an individual may sacrifice leisure time to work extra hours for career advancement; students may give up social activities to focus on their studies; athletes may sacrifice indulging in certain foods or habits for better physical health and performance.

In terms of personal development too, achieving growth often requires letting go off comfort zones or unproductive habits. It might mean sacrificing immediate gratification for long-term benefits- like saving money instead of impulsive buying for financial stability; waking up early to exercise instead sleeping-in for better health etc.

However one must remember that while sacrifice is important on the path towards any goal or ideal – it’s equally crucial not being overly sacrificial at the cost one’s wellbeing. So while pursuing your ‘gods’ (ideals), ensure they’re not becoming tyrants demanding unreasonable sacrifices which could lead you towards burnout instead.