QuoteProject
Many a man renounces morals, but with great difficulty the conception, 'morality.' Morality is the 'idea' of morals, their intellectual power, their power over the conscience; on the other hand, morals are too material to rule the mind, and do not fetter an 'intellectual' man, a so-called independent, a 'freethinker.'
Max Stirner
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote discusses the distinction between morality as an abstract concept and morals as practical principles, emphasizing the challenge of renouncing moral ideas.

Max Stirner explores the complexity of morality and morals, suggesting that while individuals may abandon moral principles in practice, the concept of morality itself remains a powerful influence on the conscience. He argues that true intellectual independence leads one to acknowledge that while morals can be abandoned, the idea of morality itself cannot be easily disregarded, highlighting a clash between material ethics and intellectual freedom.

Themes

MoralityMoralsConscienceIntellectualismFreethinker

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about ethical behavior, this quote can illustrate the difference between abstract moral principles and practical morals.

More from Max Stirner

The State practices "violence," the individual must not do so. The state's behavior is violence, and it calls its violence "law"; that of the individual, "crime".
Max StirnerRead
The State calls its own violence, law; but that of the individual, crime.
Max StirnerRead

Similar quotes

Even in a time of elephantine vanity and greed, one never has to look far to see the campfires of gentle people.
Garrison KeillorRead
There is no ship now that can bear me hence
J. R. R. TolkienRead
The point of public relations slogans like "Support Our Troops" is that they don't mean anything ... that's the whole point of good propaganda. You want to create a slogan that nobody is going to be against and I suppose everybody will be for, because nobody knows what it means, because it doesn't mean anything. But its crucial value is that it diverts your attention from a question that does mean something, do you support our policy? And that's the one you're not allowed to talk about.
Noam ChomskyRead
Life is the dancer and you are the dance.
Eckhart TolleRead
Just imagine that the purpose of life is happinesss only- _x000D_ then life becomes a cruel and senseless thing.You have to embrace what the wisdom of humanity,your intellect and your heart tell you: that the meaning of life is to serve the force that sent you into the world.Then life becomes a joy
Leo TolstoyRead
The chill of what I won't feel gnaws at my present heart.
Fernando PessoaRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.