QuoteProject
Every man of genius sees the world at a different angle from his fellows, and there is his tragedy.
Havelock Ellis
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Geniuses often have unique perspectives that can isolate them from others, leading to a sense of tragedy in their experiences.

This quote suggests that individuals with great intellect or creativity perceive reality differently than the average person. This unique viewpoint can create a sense of loneliness or tragedy, as their insights may not be understood or appreciated by those around them, leading to a struggle for connection despite their brilliance.

Themes

GeniusPerspectiveTragedyCreativityIsolation

In practice

Example use cases

A speaker at a creativity conference might use this quote to highlight the struggles of innovative thinkers.

More from Havelock Ellis

The sun, the moon and the stars would have disappeared long ago... had they happened to be within the reach of predatory human hands.
Havelock EllisRead
Life is livable because we know that wherever we go most of the people we meet will be restrained in their actions towards us by an almost instinctive network of taboos.
Havelock EllisRead
To live remains an art which everyone must learn, and which no one can teach.
Havelock EllisRead
The absence of flaw in beauty is itself a flaw.
Havelock EllisRead
It is on our failures that we base a new and different and better success.
Havelock EllisRead
It is becoming clear that the old platitudes can no longer be maintained, and that if we wish to improve our morals we must first improve our knowledge.
Havelock EllisRead

Similar quotes

We often need to lose sight of our priorities in order to see them.
John IrvingRead
Before you speak, listen. Before you write, think. Before you spend, earn. Before you invest, investigate. Before you criticize, wait. Before you pray, forgive. Before you quit, try. Before you retire, save. Before you die, give.
William Arthur WardRead
Embrace simplicity. Put others first. Desire little.
LaoziRead
Interviewer: What would you say to a woman in this country who assumes she is no longer oppressed, who believes women's liberation has been achieved? el Saadawi: Well I would think she is blind. Like many people who are blind to gender problems, to class problems, to international problems. She's blind to what's happening to her.
Nawal El SaadawiRead
Faith is an excitement and an enthusiasm: it is a condition of intellectual magnificence to which we must cling as to a treasure, and not squander on our way through life in the small coin of empty words, or in exact and priggish argument.
George SandRead
Sometimes, so much of the difficulty is the question of 'What am I going to write about?' because the world is so vast.
Jhumpa LahiriRead

A little wisdom, now and then

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