Myths and legends die hard in America. We love them for the extra dimension they provide, the illusion of near-infinite possibility to erase the narrow confines of most men's reality. Weird heroes and mould-breaking champions exist as living proof to those who need it that the tyranny of the rat race is not yet final.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Myths give hope that the rat race is not final and heroes can still break norms.
- In plain terms
- Stories of heroes show that changing the system is still possible.
- What can you take from it?
- Believe in possibility despite routine.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What myths keep you hopeful?
- Can heroes really change systems?
Another view
Myths can also distract from real solutions.
More from Hunter S. Thompson
There were other outlaws who missed the brass ring in the fifties. Lenny Bruce was one of them; he was never quite right for television. Bruce had tremendous p…
Permalink to quote #105 When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.
Permalink to quote #107 The person who doesn't scatter the morning dew will not comb gray hairs.
Permalink to quote #104
Related quotes
I have always been a friend to hero-worship; it is the only rational one, and has always been in use amongst civilized people.
George BorrowGeorge Borrow quote #7 Two-thirds of what we call New Orleans culture is really myth-making, ... People feed myths of the city back to the city. These myths are now in pieces.
Andrei CodrescuAndrei Codrescu quote #8 I don't want to live in a culture of despair. I'd like to live in a culture of hope.
Natalie MerchantNatalie Merchant quote #62