Love is a symbol of eternity. It wipes out all sense of time, destroying all memory of a beginning and all fear of an end.
Madame De StaelRead
Intellect does not attain its full force unless it attacks power.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Intellect must engage with and challenge power to reach its full potential.
In this quote, Madame De Stael emphasizes the importance of combining intellect with a critical stance towards authority and power. She suggests that true intellectual strength and capacity are realized only when one uses their knowledge and critical thinking skills to question, challenge, and confront the structures of power that exist in society.
Themes
IntellectPowerChallengeAuthorityKnowledge
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate on social justice, this quote underscores the necessity of engaging with those in power.
More from Madame De Stael
All quotes βWhen at eve, at the bounding of the landscape, the heavens appear to recline so slowly on the earth, imagination pictures beyond the horizon an asylum of hope, - a native land of love; and nature seems silently to repeat that man is immortal.
Madame De StaelRead
The more we know the better we forgive. Whoever feels deeply, feels for all who live.
Madame De StaelRead
The human mind always makes progress, but it is a progress in spirals.
Madame De StaelRead
Wit lies in recognizing the resemblance among things which differ and the difference between things which are alike.
Madame De StaelRead
Politeness is the art of choosing among your thoughts.
Madame De StaelRead
Similar quotes
Genius is rare because the means of becoming one have not been available
Victor HugoRead
In order to taste my cup of water you must first empty your cup.
Bruce LeeRead
There is only one time when it is essential to awaken. That time is now.
Gautama BuddhaRead
"Difficulty" is the name of an ancient tool that was created purely to help us define who we are.
Paulo CoelhoRead
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
If they would teach us from the time we're little to meditate and get in touch with all that our souls know, we wouldn't fight so much.
Shirley MaclaineRead