'In many people it is already an impertinence to say 'I'.'
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- For many, saying 'I' feels presumptuous or inappropriate.
- In plain terms
- Saying 'I' can seem rude to many people.
- What can you take from it?
- Consider cultural norms before asserting personal identity.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When is it acceptable to say 'I'?
- How do I balance self‑expression with humility?
Another view
In some contexts, self‑assertion is encouraged.
More from Theodor Adorno
'In his state of complete powerlessness the individual perceives the time he has left to live as a brief reprieve.'
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Permalink to quote #44 'If time is money, it seems moral to save time, above all one's own, and such parsimony is excused by consideration for others. One is straight-forward.'
Permalink to quote #41
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