Life never presents us with anything which may not be looked upon as a fresh starting point, no less than as a termination.
Andre GideRead
The nationalist has a broad hatred and a narrow love.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that nationalists tend to embrace a wide-ranging resentment towards others while being limited in their capacity to love beyond their immediate group.
Andre Gide's quote points to the paradox of nationalism, where individuals might exhibit extensive animosity towards those outside their nation or identity while reserving affection for a select and often narrow circle. This highlights the dangers of such a mindset, as it can lead to division and intolerance, limiting human connection and mutual understanding across broader societies.
Themes
NationalismHateLoveDivisionIntolerance
In practice
Example use cases
During a debate on nationalism, this quote can be used to illustrate the emotional divide it often creates.
More from Andre Gide
All quotes βDo not do what someone else could do as well as you. Do not say, do not write what someone else could say, could write as well as you. Care for nothing in yourself but what you feel exists nowhere else. And, out of yourself create, impatiently or patiently, the most irreplaceable of beings.
Andre GideRead
Old hands soil, it seems, whatever they caress, but they too have their beauty when they are joined in prayer. Young hands were made for caresses and the sheathing of love. It is a pity to make them join too soon.
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Through fear of resembling one another, through horror of having to submit, through uncertainty as well, through skepticism and complexity, there is a multitude of individual little beliefs for the triumph of strange little individuals.
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It is the special quality of love not to be able to remain stationary, to be obliged to increase under pain of diminishing.
Andre GideRead
It is with noble sentiments that bad literature gets written.
Andre GideRead
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