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About this quote

What does it mean?
Humans can lose their reason and dignity, acting like animals.
In plain terms
People can lose their sanity and act like animals.
What can you take from it?
Recognize how easily humans can lose their reason.

Where it applies

  • stress management
  • historical reflection
  • mental health

Putting it to work

  • preserve dignity
  • monitor stress
  • seek reason

Questions to consider

  • When have you felt like an animal?
  • How do you keep your reason?

Another view

Not all loss of reason is negative; sometimes it brings relief.

More from Ralph Waldo Emerson

  1. Every natural fact is a symbol of some spiritual fact.

    Permalink to quote #57
  2. A man is a god in ruins.

    Permalink to quote #59
  3. Give me health and a day, and I will make the pomp of emperors ridiculous.

    Permalink to quote #56

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