Lies written in ink cannot disguise facts written in blood.
Lu XunRead
I felt that if a man's proposals met with approval, it should encourage him; if they met with opposition, it should make him fight back; but the real tragedy for him was to lift up his voice among the living and meet with no response neither approval nor opposition just as if he were left helpless in a boundless desert.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the importance of engagement and response in life, suggesting that indifference is more tragic than conflict.
In this quote, Lu Xun emphasizes the significance of human connection and the need for validation. He argues that a person's proposals should evoke reactions—whether approval or opposition—because being acknowledged is essential for growth and motivation. The most profound tragedy lies in being ignored completely, as if one’s thoughts and existence are futile, akin to being deserted in a vast, empty space. This suggests that even negative responses are preferable to silence, which can be detrimental to one's spirit.
Themes
EngagementIndifferenceApprovalOppositionReactions
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about taking risks in life, one could use this quote to emphasize the importance of being heard.
More from Lu Xun
All quotes →To be suspicious is not a fault. To be suspicious all the time without coming to a conclusion is the defect.
Lu XunRead
I thought: hope cannot be said to exist, nor can it be said not to exist. It is just like roads across the earth. For actually the earth had no roads to begin with, but when many men pass one way, a road is made.
Lu XunRead
Similar quotes
If you are vigilant and make a stern effort to reject every thought when it rises, you will soon find that you are going deeper and deeper into your own inner self, where there is no need for your effort to reject the thoughts.
Ramana MaharshiRead
A display of indifference to all the actions and passions of mankind was not supposed to be such a distinguished quality at that time, I think, as I have observed it to be considered since. I have known it very fashionable indeed. I have seen it displayed with such success, that I have encountered some fine ladies and gentlemen who might as well have been born caterpillars.
Charles DickensRead
The day nothing turns you on - you're dead. No matter how many more years you go on breathing.
Malcolm ForbesRead
Every four years, the eyes of America become riveted on the national election returns. But God's first concern during any political season is not the same as our first concern - it is not about what is happening, or going to happen, in the White House. God's first concern is what is happening, or not happening, in His house.
Tony EvansRead
Trust and value your own divinity as well as your connection to nature. Seeing God's work everywhere will be your reward.
Wayne DyerRead
Here then at long last is my darkness. No cry of light, no glimmer, not even the faintest shard of hope to break free across the hold.
Mark Z. DanielewskiRead