Controlled hysteria is what's required. To exist constantly in a state of controlled hysteria. It's agony. But everyone has agony. The difference is that I try to take my agony home and teach it to sing.
Arthur MillerRead
Oh,Elizabeth, your justice would freeze beer.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses the idea that extreme fairness or strictness can be as harsh as coldness, potentially stifling warmth and enjoyment.
Arthur Miller's quote illustrates how excessive insistence on justice or fairness can create an environment that suppresses joy and warmth. In this context, he uses the metaphor of freezing beer, a beverage typically associated with relaxation and enjoyment, to suggest that a rigid approach to justice can lead to a bleak atmosphere, stripping away the vitality and pleasure of life.
Themes
JusticeFairnessColdnessLifeMetaphor
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on leadership styles, one could use this quote to illustrate the dangers of being too strict in enforcing rules.
More from Arthur Miller
All quotes βThe word "now" is like a bomb through the window, and it ticks.
Arthur MillerRead
Amos Oz is one of the finest novelists of this entire period. MY MICHAEL is a beautiful work of great depth and in some indescribable way lingers in the mind as a lyric song to his country's people as much as a moving love story.
Arthur MillerRead
Just remember, kid, you can quicker get back a million dollars that was stole than a word that you gave away.
Arthur MillerRead
The structure of a play is always the story of how the birds came home to roost.
Arthur MillerRead
Immortality is like trying to carve your initials in a block of ice in the middle of July.
Arthur MillerRead
Similar quotes
By trying we can easily learn to endure adversity. Another man's, I mean.
Mark TwainRead
If I have any insight at all to contribute it is this: find out what you are really good at and stick to it.
Stephen Jay GouldRead
The wealthiest Americans often live as though they and their children had nothing to gain from investments in education, infrastructure, clean-energy, and scientific research.
Sam HarrisRead
Imaginary obstacles are insurmountable. Real ones aren't. But you can't tell the difference when you have no real information. Fear can create even more imaginary obstacles than ignorance can. That's why the smallest step away from speculation and into reality can be an amazing relief...The Reality Solution means: Do it before you're ready.
Barbara SherRead
But I, being poor, have only my dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.
William Butler YeatsRead
My behavior is a product of my own conscious choices based on principles, rather than a product of my conditions, based on feelings.
Stephen CoveyRead