Without a global revolution in the sphere of human consciousness a more humane society will not emerge.
Man is a part of the world, and his spirit is part of the spirit of the world. We are merely a peculiar mode of Being, a living atom within it, or, rather, a cell that, if sufficiently open to itself and its own mystery, can also experience the mystery, the will, the pain, and the hope of the world.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote expresses the deep connection between humanity and the world, highlighting our shared experiences and existence.
Vaclav Havel’s quote reflects on the intricate relationship between humans and the universe, suggesting that each individual is both a unique entity and a component of a greater whole. By acknowledging our interconnectedness, we can tap into the collective experiences of existence, encompassing both joy and suffering, as well as the deeper mysteries of life. This perspective encourages self-awareness and a deeper understanding of our place within the vast tapestry of life.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about climate change, one might say, 'As Vaclav Havel noted, man is a part of the world, reminding us to care for our planet as we are intricately connected to it.'
More from Vaclav Havel
All quotes →Ownership is not a vice, not something to be ashamed of, but rather a commitment, and an instrument by which the general good can be served.
In my opinion, theater shouldn't give advice to citizens.
Sometimes I wonder if suicides aren't in fact sad guardians of the meaning of life.
The exercise of power is determined by thousands of interactions between the world of the powerful and that of the powerless, all the more so because these worlds are never divided by a sharp line: everyone has a small part of himself in both.
Human rights, human freedoms... and human dignity have their deepest roots somewhere outside the perceptible world... while the state is a human creation, human beings are the creation of God.
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Indeed, I cannot think why the whole bed of the ocean is not one solid mass of oysters, so prolific the creatures seem. Ah, I am wandering! Strange how the brain controls the brain! What was I saying, Watson?
With mirth in funeral and with dirge in marriage.
We must, therefore, be here as strangers and pilgrims, that we may plainly declare that we seek a city above.
Pray without ceasing on behalf of other men...For cannot he that falls rise again?
A thousand deaths would still be less than he deserves.
It’s amazing how much panic one honest man can spread among a multitude of hypocrites.