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About this quote

What does it mean?
In psycho‑analysis, only the exaggerations are reliable.
In plain terms
Exaggerations are the only trustworthy part of psycho‑analysis.
What can you take from it?
Treat psycho‑analytic statements as hyperbolic rather than literal.

Where it applies

  • therapy
  • literary criticism
  • media analysis

Putting it to work

  • question extreme claims in analysis

Questions to consider

  • Why do exaggerations dominate psycho‑analytic discourse?
  • What value lies in the non‑exaggerated parts?

Another view

Subtle insights can also emerge from nuanced statements.

More from Theodor Adorno

  1. 'In many people it is already an impertinence to say 'I'.'

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  2. 'In the abstract conception of universal wrong, all concrete responsibility vanishes.'

    Permalink to quote #45
  3. 'In his state of complete powerlessness the individual perceives the time he has left to live as a brief reprieve.'

    Permalink to quote #42

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