At one time I had given much thought to why men were so very rarely capable of living for an ideal. Now I saw that many, no, all men were capable of dying for one.
Interpretation
The quote reflects on the contrast between living for ideals and the willingness to die for them.
Hermann Hesse suggests that, while most people struggle to commit to living their lives for lofty ideals, they are often willing to sacrifice their lives for those ideals when challenged. This highlights the complexity of human nature, revealing that the pressure of circumstances can inspire profound acts of courage, even if the pursuit of ideals in daily life is more challenging.
In practice
In a graduation speech to inspire students to pursue their passions despite challenges.
I shall no longer be instructed by the Yoga Veda or the Aharva Veda, or the ascetics, or any other doctrine whatsoever. I shall learn from myself, be a pupil of myself; I shall get to know myself, the mystery of Siddhartha." He looked around as if he were seeing the world for the first time.
That is where my dearest and brightest dreams have ranged — to hear for the duration of a heartbeat the universe and the totality of life in its mysterious, innate harmony.
I, also, would like to look and smile, sit and walk like that, so free, so worthy, so restrained, so candid, so childlike and mysterious. A man only looks and walks like that when he has conquered his Self. I also will conquer my Self.
You're quite right there," he said. "I have practiced abstinence myself for years, and had my time of fasting, too, but now I find myself once more beneath the sign of Aquarius, a dark and humid constellation.
I call that man awake who, with conscious knowledge and understanding, can perceive the deep unreasoning powers in his soul, his whole innermost strength, desire and weakness, and knows how to reckon with himself.
Despair is the result of each earnest attempt to go through life with virtue, justice and understanding, and to fulfill their requirements. Children live on one side of despair, the awakened on the other side.
Slowly the poison the whole blood stream fills. It is not the effort nor the failure tires. The waste remains, the waste remains and kills.
You can never step in the same river twice.
Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.
The agony of my feelings allowed me no respite; no incident occurred from which my rage and misery could not extract its food.
It is at a fair that man can be drunk forever on liquor, love, or fights; at a fair that your front pocket can be picked by a trotting horse looking for sugar, and your hind pocket by a thief looking for his fortune.
Sometimes the Warrior feels as if he were living two lives at once.
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