To his dog, every man is Napoleon; hence the constant popularity of dogs.
Aldous HuxleyRead
Nobody can have the consolations of religion or philosophy unless he has first experienced their desolations.
Interpretation
What this quote means
One must experience suffering and despair before they can appreciate the comfort offered by religion or philosophy.
Aldous Huxley's quote suggests that true understanding and appreciation of the insights provided by religion or philosophy can only come from personally enduring hardships and challenges. It implies that desolation sharpens our perception and opens a pathway to finding solace and meaning through spiritual or philosophical beliefs.
Themes
ReligionPhilosophyDesolationConsolationSuffering
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion about the purpose of religion, one could use this quote to illustrate how life's challenges deepen our understanding.
More from Aldous Huxley
All quotes βFacts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.
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In the course of history many more people have died for their drink and their dope than have died for their religion or their country.
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On no account brood over your wrongdoing. Rolling in the muck is not the best way of getting clean.
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No man ever dared to manifest his boredom so insolently as does a Siamese tomcat when he yawns in the face of his amorously importunate wife.
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The leech's kiss, the squid's embrace, The prurient ape's defiling touch: And do you like the human race? No, not much.
Aldous HuxleyRead
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