"Man is born passionate of body, but with an innate though secret tendency to the love of Good in his main-spring of Mind. But God help us all! It is at present a sad jar of atoms"

In this quote by Lord Byron, he looks into the dual nature of humanity, highlighting the interplay in between physical desires and moral dispositions. Byron's opening assertion, "Man is born enthusiastic of body", acknowledges the intrinsic physical desires and impulses that belong to the human condition. This phrase suggests that humans, by their nature, possess strong emotions and hungers that drive much of their habits.

However, Byron doesn't stop at this materialistic view. He introduces the concept of an "innate though secret propensity to the love of Good" within the human mind's core. This suggests that beyond our physical desires, there is an intrinsic, albeit sometimes hidden, inclination towards morality and goodness. The phrase "main-spring of Mind" stimulates the image of a watch, where the main-spring is essential for its working, suggesting that this ethical propensity is main to human cognition and consciousness.

Regardless of these dual forces, Byron expresses a sense of disillusionment with the current state of mankind, as indicated by his exclamation, "But God assist us all! It is at present an unfortunate jar of atoms". This metaphor compares the human condition to a disordered collection of particles, drawing on scientific images from the early 19th century when atomic theory was getting traction. By explaining humanity as a "unfortunate jar of atoms", Byron conveys a sense of turmoil and disarray, recommending that the unified functioning of enthusiasm and ethical inclination often appears interfered with or out of balance.

The plea, "God help us all", highlights a deep concern for the human struggle to reconcile these elements. Byron recommends that while human beings are geared up with both primal passions and an instinct for goodness, they constantly face the challenge of achieving consistency in between these elements. Ultimately, the quote shows Byron's philosophical view on the complex and frequently conflicted nature of mankind, emphasizing the tension between our base impulses and higher ethical goals.