Man, in spite of his fatal degradation, bears always the evident marks of his divine origin, in that every universal belief is always more or less true.
Joseph De MaistreRead
There is no man who desires as passionately as a Russian. If we could imprison a Russian desire beneath a fortress, that fortress would explode.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the intense desires of Russians, suggesting they are unparalleled in their passion.
Joseph De Maistre illustrates the depth and intensity of human desire, particularly among Russians, by suggesting that it is so fierce that even if constrained, it would inevitably break free with explosive force. This metaphor highlights the universal struggle between desire and restraint, suggesting that such powerful passions are inherently uncontrollable.
Themes
DesirePassionIntensityRussianEmotionsHuman Nature
In practice
Example use cases
In a psychology lecture discussing the nature of desire and its implications on human behavior.
More from Joseph De Maistre
All quotes βMan is insatiable for power; he is infantile in his desires and, always discontented with what he has, loves only what he has not. People complain of the despotism of princes; they ought to complain of the despotism of man.
Joseph De MaistreRead
A constitution that is made for all nations is made for none.
Joseph De MaistreRead
False opinions are like false money, struck first of all by guilty men and thereafter circulated by honest people who perpetuate the crime without knowing what they are doing.
Joseph De MaistreRead
Reason speaks in words alone, but love has a song.
Joseph De MaistreRead
Man in harmony with his Creator is sublime, and his action is creative; equally, once he separates himself from God and acts alone, he does not cease to be powerful, since this is the privilege of his nature, but his acts are negative and lead only to destruction.
Joseph De MaistreRead
Similar quotes
And no matter what, there's not one thing in this world *or* the next that we can do or hope or guess at or wish or pray that can change it or help it one iota. Because whatever is, is. That's all. And all there is now is to be ready for it, strong enough for it, whatever it may be. That's all. That's all that matters. It's all that matters because it's all that's possible.
James AgeeRead
Urging humans to be superhumans, on pain of death and torture, is the urging of terrible self-abasement at their repeated and inevitable failure to keep the rules.
Christopher HitchensRead
The finest clothing made is a person's own skin, but, of course, society demands something more than this.
Mark TwainRead
XXIX Traveler, there is no path. The path is made by walking. Traveller, the path is your tracks And nothing more. Traveller, there is no path The path is made by walking. By walking you make a path And turning, you look back At a way you will never tread again Traveller, there is no road Only wakes in the sea.
Antonio MachadoRead
He wondered how he could ever have thought of the planets, even of the Earth, as islands of life and reality floating in a deadly void. Now with a certainty which never after deserted him, he saw the planets - as mere holes or gaps in the living heaven - excluded and rejected wastes of heavy matter and murky air, formed not by addition to, but by subtraction from, the surrounding brightness.
C. S. LewisRead
When you desire the common good, the whole world desires with you. Make humanity's desire your own and work for it. There you cannot fail.
Sri Nisargadatta MaharajRead