I am interested in madness. I believe it is the biggest thing in the human race, and the most constant. How do you take away from a man his madness without also taking away his identity? Are we sure it is desirable for a man's spirit not to be at war with itself, or that it is better to be serene and ready to go to dinner than to be excited and unwilling to stop for a cup of coffee, even?
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker argues that madness is central to human identity and questions whether removing it would diminish the spirit.
- In plain terms
- Madness is a big part of being human and taking it away might remove who we are.
- What can you take from it?
- Consider if inner turmoil is essential to human identity.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is inner conflict necessary for a meaningful life?
- Can you separate madness from identity?
Another view
Equating madness with identity may stigmatize those seeking relief from genuine mental illness.
More from William Saroyan
One of us is obviously mistaken.
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