Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.
John AdamsRead
What a fool I was! and yet, in the sight of angels, are we any wiser as we grow older? It seems to me, only, that our illusions change as we go on; but, still, we are madmen all the same.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the folly of human nature and the nature of wisdom as we age.
Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu's quote highlights the paradox of human wisdom; while we may think we gain insight with age, our fundamental illusions simply shift rather than disappear. It suggests a critical view of self-perception and the universal madness that accompanies the human experience, prompting us to consider whether true wisdom is ever attained or merely an evolving understanding of our own ignorance.
Themes
WisdomIllusionsAgeMadnessHuman Nature
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about the nature of wisdom in a philosophy class.
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