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About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker says they pushed their mind to its limits to create a profound thought that could give new meaning to life and death and comfort humanity.
In plain terms
I strained my mind to find a great, comforting idea about life and death.
What can you take from it?
Intense mental effort can aim for transformative insight.

Where it applies

  • philosophical writing
  • creative research

Putting it to work

  • dedicate time to deep reflection
  • share insights with others

Questions to consider

  • Can effort alone produce profound meaning?
  • What is the value of seeking new meanings?

Another view

Such breakthroughs are rare and not guaranteed by effort alone.

More from Nikos Kazantzakis

  1. We, who are dying, are doing better, than they, who will live. For Crete doesn't need householders, she needs madmen like us. These madmen make Crete immortal.

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  2. I said to the almond tree: 'Speak to me of God.' and the almond tree blossomed.

    Permalink to quote #8
  3. God, what is all this talk put out by the popes? Paradise is here, my good man. God, give me no other paradise!

    Permalink to quote #5

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