Killing a man in defense of an idea is not defending an idea; it is killing a man.
Jean-Luc GodardRead
Clumsiness attempts to fix simplicity straight in the eye. It is not a mark of incompetence but of reticence.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Clumsiness can reveal deeper truths about simplicity and human hesitation.
In this quote, Jean-Luc Godard suggests that what may appear as clumsiness is often a reflection of our struggle with simplicity and the complexities of our emotions. This hints at the idea that rather than being a sign of incompetence, such clumsiness may stem from a deeper, more thoughtful consideration of our actions and decisions.
Themes
ClumsinessSimplicityReticencePhilosophyIncompetence
In practice
Example use cases
In a conversation about artistic expression, one might use this quote to highlight the value of imperfection.
More from Jean-Luc Godard
All quotes →I don't think you should feel about a film. You should feel about a woman, not a movie. You can't kiss a movie.
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Sometime reality is too complex. Stories give it form.
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More or less, I am always saying, 'Give me more. Let's do what has not been done.'
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Objects exist and if one pays more attention to them than to people, it is precisely because they exist more than the people. Dead objects are still alive. Living people are often already dead.
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Cinema is not a series of abstract ideas, but rather the phrasing of moments.
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