This is the approved definition. However, years ago I evolved my own opinion on the notion that to be Quixotic is impractical, or even worse not realistic.
Here’s a quote from the book that explains Quixote’s thinking.
When life itself seems lunatic, who knows where madness lies? Perhaps to be too practical is madness. To surrender dreams — this may be madness. Too much sanity may be madness — and maddest of all: to see life as it is, and not as it should be!
Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote
In fact Quixote was perfectly sane but being forced to live in an insane world. All he was guilty of was refusing to accept the world’s insanity.
We all encounter these situations where our world is experiencing lunatic level changes. When this happens we have a choice. Accept the “new normal,” or fiercely hold out against the madness and focus on how things should be.
I think most of us would rather accept insanity than challenge a changing world. But is that course really more sane, or even practical? I’ll put my money on those that hold onto how things should be over those that roll over and accept an insane world.
