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 LaxnessRead
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The essence of great art comes from deep sympathy, not just understanding.
In this quote, Halldór Laxness emphasizes that true artistic expression emanates from empathizing with others' struggles and emotions rather than merely grasping their complexity. The process of creating meaningful art is rooted in the artist's ability to feel and connect with the human soul's vulnerabilities, allowing for a profound reflection on shared experiences through beauty and melody.
Themes
ArtSympathyHuman SoulUnderstandingSong
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used to inspire artists during creative workshops to emphasize the importance of empathy in their work.
More from Halldr Laxness
All quotes →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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