The anguish of the neurotic individual is the same as that of the saint. The neurotic, the saint are engaged in the same battle. Their blood flows from similar wounds. But the first one gasps and the other one gives.
Georges BatailleRead
It is clear that the world is purely parodic, that each thing seen is the parody of another, or is the same thing in a deceptive form.
Interpretation
The quote suggests that reality is an imitation or distortion of deeper truths.
Georges Bataille's quote reflects his philosophical view that the world we see is not an absolute truth, but rather a parody or imitation of deeper, often hidden realities. This perspective encourages a critical examination of appearances, suggesting that what we perceive is often a deceptive representation of a more profound underlying nature.
In practice
In a discussion about perception in art, this quote can illustrate how representations vary from their original inspirations.
The anguish of the neurotic individual is the same as that of the saint. The neurotic, the saint are engaged in the same battle. Their blood flows from similar wounds. But the first one gasps and the other one gives.
A judgment about life has no meaning except the truth of the one who speaks last, and the mind is at ease only at the moment when everyone is shouting at once and no one can hear a thing.
I believe that truth has only one face: that of a violent contradiction.
What does physical eroticism signify if not a violation of the very being of its practitioners? β A violation bordering on death, bordering on murder?
I think that knowledge enslaves us, that at the base of all knowledge there is a servility, the acceptation of a way of life wherein each moment has meaning only in relation to another or others that will follow it.
Eroticism is assenting to life even in death.
You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
To create a minimum standard of life below which no human being can fall is the most elementary duty of the democratic state.
God is the original, master forgiver. Each time we grope our reluctant way through the minor miracle of forgiving, we are imitating his style. I am not at all sure that any of us would have had imagination enough to see the possibilities in this way to heal the wrongs of this life had he not done it first.
The flower fades and dies; but he who wears the flower has not to mourn for it for ever.
The secret of image - worship is that you are trying to develop your vision of Divinity in one thing.
Man would indeeded be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death.
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