For the moment being, given that we live in society, the only duty of superior men is to reduce to a minimum their participation in the tribe's life. Not to read newspapers, or read them only to know about whatever unimportant and curious is going on. / [...] The supreme honorable state for a superior man is in not knowing who is the Head of State of his country, or if he lives under a monarchy or a republic. / All his attitude must be setting his soul so that the passing of things, of events doesn't bother him. If he doesn't do it he will have to take an interest in others in order to take care of himself.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Superior men should minimize societal participation and ignore politics to stay detached.
- In plain terms
- To be superior, ignore the news and do not care about leaders.
- What can you take from it?
- Disengage from public life to maintain inner peace.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What is your duty to society?
- Is ignorance a virtue?
Another view
Total disengagement is rarely possible or ethical in modern society.
More from Fernando Pessoa
I'm upset by the happiness of all these men who don't know they're unhappy. [...] Because of that, though, I love them all. Dear vegetables!
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Permalink to quote #133 All pleasure is a vice, for seeking pleasure is what everybody does in life, and the only dark vice is doing what everybody does.
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