The task of a writer consists of being able to make something out of an idea.
Thomas MannRead
The Freudian theory is one of the most important foundation stones for an edifice to be built by future generations, the dwelling of a freer and wiser humanity.
Interpretation
The Freudian theory serves as a crucial basis for future understanding and progress in human knowledge.
In this quote, Thomas Mann highlights the significance of Freudian theory as a fundamental building block for future intellectual developments. He envisions a future where humanity is more enlightened and liberated, suggesting that the insights gained from Freud's work will help shape a wiser society.
In practice
In a psychology seminar, I quoted this to emphasize the importance of foundational theories.
The task of a writer consists of being able to make something out of an idea.
Stupid β well, there are so many kinds of stupidity, and cleverness is one of the worst.
It is a strange fact that freedom and equality, the two basic ideas of democracy, are to some extent contradictory. Logically considered, freedom and equality are mutually exclusive, just as society and the individual are mutually exclusive.
I tell them that if they will occupy themselves with the study of mathematics they will find in it the best remedy against the lusts of the flesh.
Literature... is the union of suffering with the instinct for form.
One always has the idea of a stupid man as perfectly healthy and ordinary, and of illness as making one refined and clever and unusual.
All this shouldn't last; but it will, always; the human 'always' of course, a century, two centuries... and after that it will be different, but worse. We were the Leopards, the Lions; those who'll take our place will be little jackals, hyenas; and the whole lot of us, Leopards, jackals, and sheep, we'll all go on thinking ourselves the salt of the earth.
How often are the perpetrators of hate-crimes discovered to be self-loathing? Valued individuals do not strike out against strangers.
My experience of living with people of diverse religions and cultures taught me that one will never be at peace with the other if one is at war with oneself.
Freedom and slavery are mental states.
Probably I dont believe in a lot of things that I used to believe in but that doesnt mean I dont believe in anything.
To verify images kills them, and it is always more enriching to imagine than to experience.
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