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Of all the creatures that man kills for his amusement there is only one that he kills out of hatred—other men. Man hates nothing as much as himself. That is why war is called the leprosy of the human soul.
Halldr Laxness
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote reflects the profound self-loathing of humanity and the tragedy of war as a result of that hatred towards oneself and others.

Halldr Laxness expresses a dark view of human nature, suggesting that mankind’s most destructive and irrational act—killing others—stems not from a simple desire for amusement but rather from a deep-seated hatred that often reflects an underlying self-hatred. War, as he metaphorically describes it as the 'leprosy of the human soul', signifies the rotting effect of such hatred on both individuals and society, revealing the profound moral decay that comes from allowing hatred to dominate our actions.

Themes

HatredWarSelf-LoathingHuman NatureViolence

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about the consequences of war, this quote highlights its moral implications.

More from Halldr Laxness

This was the first time that he has ever looked into the labyrinth of the human soul. He was very far from understanding what he saw. But what was of more value, he felt and suffered with her. In years that were yet to come, he relived this memory in song, in the most beautiful song this world has known. For the understanding of the soul's defencelessness, of the conflict between the two poles, is not the source of the greatest song. The source of the greatest song is sympathy.
Halldr LaxnessRead
He continued on, on to the glacier, towards the dawn, from ridge to ridge, in deep, new-fallen snow, paying no heed to the storms that might pursue him. As a child he had stood by the seashore at Ljósavík and watched the waves soughing in and out, but now he was heading away from the sea. "Think of me when you are in glorious sunshine." Soon the sun of the day of resurrection will shine on the bright paths where she awaits her poet. And beauty shall reign alone.
Halldr LaxnessRead

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