When I am furious about something, I sometimes beat the ground or a tree with my walking stick. But I certainly do not believe that the ground is to blame or that my beating can help anything... And all rites are of this kind. (p. 137)
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Rituals are like beating the ground in anger: they express emotion without believing the object is responsible or the action helpful.
- In plain terms
- Rites express feelings like anger but do not actually change the cause.
- What can you take from it?
- Rituals serve emotional expression rather than practical effect.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why do we perform rituals?
- What emotions do your habits express?
Another view
Some rituals may claim practical effects beyond mere expression.
More from Ludwig Wittgenstein
His explanations of primitive practices are much cruder than the meaning of these practices themselves. (p. 131)
Permalink to quote #98 Hot Ziggety!
Permalink to quote #100 The ceremonial (hot or cold) as opposed to the haphazard (lukewarm) characterizes piety. (p. 127)
Permalink to quote #97
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