The old world is dying, and the new world struggles to be born; now is the time of monsters
Antonio GramsciRead
Man is above all else mind, consciousness -- that is, he is a product of history, not of nature.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that human identity and development are shaped more by historical and social factors than by natural instincts.
Gramsci emphasizes the significance of the mind and consciousness as fundamental aspects of human beings. He argues that our identities and behaviors are not strictly determined by biological nature, but are largely influenced by the historical context and social relationships in which individuals exist. This reflection invites contemplation on how culture, society, and history shape human experience and thought.
Themes
MindConsciousnessHistoryIdentityNature
In practice
Example use cases
During a philosophy class discussing the influence of societal factors on human behavior.
More from Antonio Gramsci
All quotes βI'm a pessimist because of intelligence, but an optimist because of will.
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The crisis consists precisely in the fact that the old is dying and the new cannot be born
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To tell the truth is revolutionary.
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Revolutionaries see history as a creation of their own spirit, as being made up of a continuous series of violent tugs at the other forces of society - both active and passive, and they prepare the maximum of favourable conditions for the definitive tug (revolution).
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History is at once freedom and necessity.
Antonio GramsciRead
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Your true meaning cannot be grasped or captured by words. You can never be equated with any words, because you are prior to words.
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Trust is a social good to be protected just as much as the air we breathe or the water we drink. When it is damaged, the community as a whole suffers; and when it is destroyed, societies falter and collapse
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A thousand policemen directing traffic cannot tell you why you come or where you go.
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I see only with deep regret that God punishes so many of His children for their numerous stupidities, for which only He Himself can be held responsible; in my opinion, only His nonexistence could excuse Him.
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The movement is everything, the final goal is nothing.
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