It is not for me to judge another man's life. I must judge, I must choose, I must spurn, purely for myself. For myself, alone.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes personal responsibility in making choices and judgments about one's own life rather than judging others.
Hermann Hesse's quote highlights the importance of individual agency and the need to focus on one's own life decisions. It suggests that while we may observe others and their choices, our primary concern should be our own path and how we choose to react to the world around us. This introspective approach fosters personal growth and self-awareness, encouraging us to define our values and beliefs without being overly influenced by the actions of others.
In practice
In a discussion on self-improvement, one might say, 'As Hermann Hesse wisely noted, it is crucial to focus on our own decisions rather than judging others.'
I shall no longer be instructed by the Yoga Veda or the Aharva Veda, or the ascetics, or any other doctrine whatsoever. I shall learn from myself, be a pupil of myself; I shall get to know myself, the mystery of Siddhartha." He looked around as if he were seeing the world for the first time.
That is where my dearest and brightest dreams have ranged β to hear for the duration of a heartbeat the universe and the totality of life in its mysterious, innate harmony.
I, also, would like to look and smile, sit and walk like that, so free, so worthy, so restrained, so candid, so childlike and mysterious. A man only looks and walks like that when he has conquered his Self. I also will conquer my Self.
You're quite right there," he said. "I have practiced abstinence myself for years, and had my time of fasting, too, but now I find myself once more beneath the sign of Aquarius, a dark and humid constellation.
I call that man awake who, with conscious knowledge and understanding, can perceive the deep unreasoning powers in his soul, his whole innermost strength, desire and weakness, and knows how to reckon with himself.
Despair is the result of each earnest attempt to go through life with virtue, justice and understanding, and to fulfill their requirements. Children live on one side of despair, the awakened on the other side.
What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
A person is born with feelings of envy and hate. If he gives way to them, they will lead him to violence and crime, and any sense of loyalty and good faith will be abandoned.
The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully.
Most modern reproducers of life, even including the camera, really repudiate it. We gulp down evil, choke at good.
Hell is the bloodcurdling mansion of time, in whose profoundest circle Satan himself waits, winding a gargantuan watch in his hand.
You're a slave, a bound helpless slave to one thing in the world, your imagination.
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