QuoteProject
To denounce does not free the self from what it hates, any more than ignoring the past shuts off its influence.
Jacques Barzun
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Rejecting something does not release a person from its negative impact, just as ignoring the past does not erase its effects.

This quote emphasizes that merely denouncing or rejecting something a person dislikes does not alleviate the internal struggle associated with that sentiment. It suggests that one must confront and acknowledge their feelings and past influences rather than attempt to escape them through denial or condemnation. Ignoring these aspects does not diminish their power over one's life; instead, they require thoughtful consideration and resolution for true liberation.

Themes

DenouncementIgnorancePastFreedomInfluence

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about how to cope with trauma, one might use this quote to highlight the importance of facing one's past.

More from Jacques Barzun

Let us face a pluralistic world in which there are no universal churches, no single remedy for all diseases, no one way to teach or write or sing, no magic diet, no world poets, and no chosen races, but only the wretched and wonderfully diversified human race.
Jacques BarzunRead
Machines are admirable and tyrannize only with the user's consent. Where, then, is the enemy? Not where the machine gives relief from drudgery but where human judgment abdicates. The smoothest machine-made product of the age is the organization man, for even the best organizing principle tends to corrupt, and the mechanical principle corrupts absolutely.
Jacques BarzunRead
In teaching you cannot see the fruit of a day's work. It is invisible and remains so, maybe for twenty years.
Jacques BarzunRead
I can only think that the book is read because it deals with the difficulties of schooling, which do not change. Please note: the difficulties, not the problems. Problems are solved or disappear with the revolving times. Difficulities remain. It will always be difficult to teach well, to learn accurately; to read, write, and count readily and competently; to acquire a sense of history and start one's education or anothers.
Jacques BarzunRead
Convince yourself that you are working in clay, not marble, on paper not eternal bronze: Let that first sentence be as stupid as it wishes.
Jacques BarzunRead
The world has long observed that small acts of immorality, if repeated, will destroy character. It is equally manifest, though never said, that uttering nonsense and half-truth without cease ends by destroying Intellect
Jacques BarzunRead

Similar quotes

The thing that will make the biggest difference to your business, your bank account, your health and your relationships in the next 12 months is your philosophy
Jim RohnRead
Emancipated' women found out that the honesty, generosity, and camaraderie of men was a lie.
Shulamith FirestoneRead
Who on earth invented the silly convention that it is boring or impolite to talk shop? Nothing is more interesting to listen to, especially if the shop is not one's own.
W. H. AudenRead
The utterance of God is a lamp, whose light is these words: Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony... So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.
Bah'U'LlhRead
I'm craving more soul, I'm craving more truth, I'm craving more socially - just people that are aware of what's going on in the world.
John LegendRead
'Speak when you're spoken to!' The Queen sharply interrupted her. 'But if everybody obeyed that rule,' said Alice, who was always ready for a little argument, 'and if you only spoke when you were spoken to, and the other person always waited for you to begin, you see nobody would ever say anything, so that - ' 'Ridiculous!' cried the Queen. 'Why, don't you see, child - ' here she broke off with a frown, and, after thinking for a minute, suddenly changed the subject of the conversation.
Lewis CarrollRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.

Quote by Jacques Barzun | QuoteProject