Mad, adj. Affected with a high degree of intellectual independence; not conforming to standards of thought, speech, and action derived by the conformants [sic] from study of themselves; at odds with the majority; in short, unusual. It is noteworthy that persons are pronounced mad by officials destitute of evidence that they themselves are sane.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Bierce defines madness as intellectual independence that defies societal norms. He suggests officials who label others mad often lack self-awareness about their own sanity.
- In plain terms
- Being different makes you look crazy to conformists, even if they are the ones lacking sense.
- What can you take from it?
- Question authority that labels nonconformity as insanity.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Who defines what is normal?
- Are you conforming to avoid judgment?
Another view
The definition is subjective and could be used to dismiss genuine mental health issues.
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