What is the meaning of the words ruin and preservation in a famous quote?

Question:

What do the words ruin and preservation mean?

Answer:

It means that those who put what they “should do” before what they need to do to get something done will ultimately be more likely to fail than to succeed.

The quote "he who neglects what is done for what ought to be done, sooner effects his ruin than his preservation" discusses the consequences of prioritizing theoretical or ideal actions over practical ones. In this context, ruin refers to the state of destruction or failure, while preservation signifies the act of maintaining or safeguarding something.

By focusing solely on what should be done in an abstract sense, individuals may overlook the immediate tasks that need to be addressed for successful outcomes. This can lead to negative consequences such as failure or ruin rather than maintaining progress and achieving preservation.

Therefore, the words ruin and preservation in the quote emphasize the importance of balancing theoretical ideals with practical actions in order to avoid negative outcomes and achieve success.