In today's life, the world belongs only to the stupid, the insensitive and the agitated. The right to live and triumph is now conquered almost by the same means by which you conquer internment in an asylum: the inability to think, amorality and hiperexcitation.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Pessoa argues that modern success favors those who lack thought and morality, similar to being in an asylum.
- In plain terms
- He thinks stupid and insensitive people win in society today.
- What can you take from it?
- Avoid mindless behavior if you want genuine success.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Who wins in modern society?
- Is intelligence undervalued?
Another view
Critiquing modernity often ignores complex systemic issues.
More from Fernando Pessoa
Destiny gave me only two things: a few accounting books and the gift of dreaming.
Permalink to quote #101 What is art but the denial of life?
Permalink to quote #103 The slope takes you to the windmill, but effort takes you nowhere.
Permalink to quote #100
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