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About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker admits to doing bad things without reason and claims they cannot conceive anything worse because they never try to imagine it.
In plain terms
I do bad things without knowing why and don't try to imagine worse ones.
What can you take from it?
Avoiding imagination keeps you from finding worse sins.

Where it applies

  • ethical dilemma
  • self-sabotage
  • guilt

Putting it to work

  • moral reflection
  • accepting flaws
  • limiting imagination

Questions to consider

  • Is ignorance better than knowing the worst?
  • Why do we avoid imagining our failures?

Another view

It suggests ignorance is a valid strategy for maintaining peace.

More from Samuel Beckett

  1. It sometimes happens and will sometimes happen again that I forget who I am and strut before my eyes, like a stranger.

    Permalink to quote #50
  2. In me there have always been two fools, among others, one asking nothing better than to stay where he is and the other imagining that life might be slightly le…

    Permalink to quote #52
  3. All the things you would do gladly, oh without enthusiasm, but gladly, all the things there seems no reason for your not doing, and that you do not do! Can it …

    Permalink to quote #49

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