There are two infinities that confuse me: the one in my soul devours me; the one around me will crush me
Gustave FlaubertRead
I am not good. I am not virtuous. I am not sympathetic. I am not generous. I am merely and above all a creature of intense passionate feeling. I feel—everything. It is my genius. It burns me like fire.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The speaker acknowledges their emotional intensity over traditional virtues.
In this quote, Mary MacLane emphasizes that her essence is rooted in deep emotional experiences rather than conventional qualities such as goodness or generosity. She suggests that her passionate feelings are her true strength and worth, portraying a view of authenticity that values emotional depth over moral categories.
Themes
EmotionPassionAuthenticityGeniusIntensity
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speaking event, one might use this quote to discuss the importance of embracing one's emotions.
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