I think we are blind. Blind people who can see, but do not see.
Interpretation
The quote suggests that many people fail to perceive the deeper truths and realities of life, despite having the ability to see.
In this quote, Saramago highlights the concept of metaphorical blindness, where individuals may have physical sight yet remain oblivious to the significant and often overlooked truths around them. This blindness can stem from societal conditioning, apathy, or indifference, thereby pointing to the importance of awareness and genuine perception in understanding the world and ourselves.
In practice
During a discussion on societal issues, this quote can illustrate how many ignore the realities facing others.
Why did we become blind, I don't know, perhaps one day we'll find out, Do you want me to tell you what I think, Yes, do, I don't think we did go blind, I think we are blind, Blind but seeing, Blind people who can see, but do not see.
I can't imagine myself outside any kind of social or political involvement. Yes, I'm a writer, but I live in this world, and my writing doesn't exist on a separate level. And if people know who I am and read my books, well, good; that way, if I have something more to say, then everyone benefits.
...you have to leave the island in order to see the island, that we can't see ourselves unless we become free of ourselves, Unless we escape from ourselves you mean, No, that's not the same thing.
Whether we like it or not, the one justification for the existence of all religions is death, they need death as much as we need bread to eat.
With the passage of time, as well as the social evolution and genetic exchange, we ended up putting our conscience in the color of our blood and the salt of our tears.
En ningún momento de la historia, en ningún lugar del planeta, las religiones han servido para que los seres humanos se acerquen unos a los otros. Por el contrario, sólo han servido para separar, para quemar, para torturar. No creo en dios, no lo necesito y además soy buena persona.
All diseases of Christians are to be ascribed to demons; chiefly do they torment freshly-baptized Christians, yea, even the guiltless new-born infants.
The guest of our soul knows our misery; He comes to find an empty tent within us - that is all He asks.
What excites and interests the looker-on at life, what the romances and the statues celebrate, and the grim civic monuments remind us of, is the everlasting battle of the powers of light with those of darkness; with heroism reduced to its bare chance, yet ever and anon snatching victory from the jaws of death.
In Jesus Christ, God took on a human face and became our friend and brother.
Critics have done the wine industry a lot of good overall.
What is at the heart of all national problems? It is that we have seen the hand of material interest sometimes about to close upon our dearest rights and possessions.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.