Ordinarily he is insane, but he has lucid moments when he is only stupid.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Heine mocks a man's alternating insanity and brief lucidity, yet still stupidity.
- In plain terms
- He is sometimes crazy, sometimes clear, but still foolish.
- What can you take from it?
- Beware of occasional clarity that doesn't change overall folly.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Do brief moments of clarity change a person's nature?
- How to differentiate genuine insight from fleeting thoughts?
Another view
The phrasing is confusing and may obscure meaning.
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