Without madness what is man / more than the healthy beast, / corpse adjourned that procreates?
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker questions what man is without madness, implying madness distinguishes humans from mere biological creatures.
- In plain terms
- Madness makes us more than just animals.
- What can you take from it?
- Irrationality defines humanity.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is madness necessary for creativity?
- Are humans more than beasts?
Another view
Mental illness can also be purely painful without meaning.
More from Fernando Pessoa
Faithful to the word given and the idea had. / All else is up to God!
Permalink to quote #6 God wills, man dreams, the work is born.
Permalink to quote #8 Clear in thinking, and clear in feeling, / and clear in wanting
Permalink to quote #5
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