For life is tendency, and the essence of a tendency is to develop in the form of a sheaf, creating, by its very growth, divergent directions among which its impetus is divided.
Henri BergsonRead
Intelligence is characterized by a natural incomprehension of life.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Intelligence can often lead to a disconnect from the simpler, more intrinsic aspects of life.
Henri Bergson suggests that intelligence, while a valuable trait, can result in individuals being unable to fully grasp the essence of life. This perspective implies that analytical thinking may create barriers to appreciating life's intrinsic qualities, leading to an incomplete understanding of existence and the richness of human experience.
Themes
IntelligenceLifeUnderstandingPhilosophyComprehension
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion about the balance between intellect and emotional insight, you could use this quote to emphasize the limitations of intelligence.
More from Henri Bergson
All quotes βTo exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly.
Henri BergsonRead
Laughter is the corrective force which prevents us from becoming cranks.
Henri BergsonRead
I believe that the time given to refutation in philosophy is usually time lost. Of the many attacks directed by many thinkers against each other, what now remains? Nothing, or assuredly very little. That which counts and endures is the modicum of positive truth which each contributes. The true statement is, of itself, able to displace the erroneous idea, and becomes, without our having taken the trouble of refuting anyone, the best of refutations.
Henri BergsonRead
Religion is to mysticism what popularization is to science
Henri BergsonRead
And I also see how this body influences external images: it gives back movement to them.
Henri BergsonRead
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You know, that might be the answer - to act boastfully about something we ought to be ashamed of. That's a trick that never seems to fail.
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