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.
There are two ways to wash the dishes. One way is to wash them to get them clean. The other way is to wash them in order to wash the dishes.
God is a circle whose center is everywhere and circumference nowhere.
Government acquisition of food supplies in time of war is no less important than conscription. Equity is the fundamental principle applicable to both these essential phases of war administration.
It 's no fish ye 're buying, it 's men's lives.
We are at heart so profoundly anarchistic that the only form of state we can imagine living in is Utopian; and so cynical that the only Utopia we can believe in is authoritarian.
Manner is personality—the outward manifestation of one’s innate character and attitude toward life.
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