The man of power is ruined by power, the man of money by money, the submissive man by subservience, the pleasure seeker by pleasure.
Interpretation
Power and materialism can lead to ruin; individual motivations can ultimately be destructive.
Hermann Hesse's quote reflects the idea that various pursuits—whether it's power, wealth, submission, or pleasure—can lead to the downfall of individuals. Each of these pursuits seems appealing but carries inherent dangers that can trap and ruin a person if they become overly focused on them. This serves as a cautionary reminder of the potential consequences of allowing ourselves to be consumed by our desires or roles in life.
In practice
This quote can be used to provoke thought in a discussion about the nature of ambition and its consequences.
I shall no longer be instructed by the Yoga Veda or the Aharva Veda, or the ascetics, or any other doctrine whatsoever. I shall learn from myself, be a pupil of myself; I shall get to know myself, the mystery of Siddhartha." He looked around as if he were seeing the world for the first time.
That is where my dearest and brightest dreams have ranged — to hear for the duration of a heartbeat the universe and the totality of life in its mysterious, innate harmony.
I, also, would like to look and smile, sit and walk like that, so free, so worthy, so restrained, so candid, so childlike and mysterious. A man only looks and walks like that when he has conquered his Self. I also will conquer my Self.
You're quite right there," he said. "I have practiced abstinence myself for years, and had my time of fasting, too, but now I find myself once more beneath the sign of Aquarius, a dark and humid constellation.
I call that man awake who, with conscious knowledge and understanding, can perceive the deep unreasoning powers in his soul, his whole innermost strength, desire and weakness, and knows how to reckon with himself.
Despair is the result of each earnest attempt to go through life with virtue, justice and understanding, and to fulfill their requirements. Children live on one side of despair, the awakened on the other side.
Old age comes on suddenly, and not gradually as is thought.
The myth of integration as propounded under the banner of the liberal ideology must be cracked because it makes people believe that something is being achieved when in reality the artificially integrated circles are a soporfic to the blacks while salving the consciences of the few guilt-stricken whites.
Seeing the similarity to oneself, one should not use violence or have it used.
Poverty is bitter, but it has no harder pang than that it makes men ridiculous.
Here is a man whose life and actions the world has already condemned - yet whose enormous fortune...has already brought him acquittal!
The spirit of the kingdom undermines its defenses. People will rise against the king. A new peace is made; holy laws deteriorate. Paris has never before found herself in such dire straits.
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