Faith is the highest passion in a human being. Many in every generation may not come that far, but none comes further.
Soren KierkegaardRead
People commonly travel the world over to see rivers and mountains, new stars, garish birds, freak fish, grotesque breeds of human; they fall into an animal stupor that gapes at existence and they think they have seen something.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote critiques how people often seek external experiences while failing to understand the deeper significance of existence.
Soren Kierkegaard reflects on the tendency of people to travel the world, seeking awe-inspiring sights like mountains, rivers, and exotic creatures. He suggests that in doing so, they often become so enamored with the superficial aspects of existence that they neglect to engage with the profound truths that lie beneath. This superficial appreciation can lead to a state of 'animal stupor,' where mere observation is mistaken for true understanding or enlightenment.
Themes
ExistenceTravelSuperficialUnderstandingPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the meaning of travel, this quote can highlight the importance of introspection over mere sightseeing.
More from Soren Kierkegaard
All quotes →Men think that it is impossible for a human being to love his enemies, for enemies are hardly able to endure the sight of one another. Well, then, shut your eyes--and your enemy looks just like your neighbor.
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How did I get into the world? Why was I not asked about it and why was I not informed of the rules and regulations but just thrust into the ranks as if I had been bought by a peddling shanghaier of human beings? How did I get involved in this big enterprise called actuality? Why should I be involved? Isn't it a matter of choice? And if I am compelled to be involved, where is the manager—I have something to say about this. Is there no manager? To whom shall I make my complaint?
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A possibility is a hint from God. One must follow it.
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And when the hourglass has run out, the hourglass of temporality, when the noise of secular life has grown silent and its restless or ineffectual activism has come to an end, when everything around you is still, as it is in eternity, then eternity asks you and every individual in these millions and millions about only one thing: whether you have lived in despair or not.
Soren KierkegaardRead
I am so stupid that I cannot understand philosophy; the antithesis of this is that philosophy is so clever that it cannot comprehend my stupidity. These antitheses are mediated in a higher unity; in our common stupidity.
Soren KierkegaardRead
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