People with courage and character always seem sinister to the rest.
Interpretation
This quote suggests that those who possess true courage and strong character are often misunderstood or perceived as threatening by others.
Hermann Hesse's quote reflects the idea that individuals who exhibit courage and integrity may not fit societal norms, leading to their being viewed with suspicion or discomfort by the majority. This highlights a common theme in human behavior where those who deviate from the expected, especially in virtues like courage, can be seen as strange or 'sinister' rather than admirable. It serves as a reminder that the mainstream often struggles to understand those who challenge the status quo.
In practice
In a discussion about leadership qualities, this quote can highlight the importance of courage in leadership.
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 β 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.
Our chiefs are killed. . . . The little children are freezing to death. . . . My people have no blankets, no food. . . . My heart is sick and sad. . . . I will fight no more forever.
... resistance to tyranny is man's highest ideal.
The higher man is distinguished from the lower by his fearlessness and his readiness to challenge misfortune.
I would rather do what I did than crawl in front of a ritualistic Left and lie the way those other comrades did betray my own soul.
I know what it's like to want to die. How it hurts to smile. How you try to fit in but you can't. You hurt yourself on the outside to try to kill the thing on the inside.
Don't do what you want. Do what you don't want. Do what you're trained not to want. Do the things that scare you the most.
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