People like to invent monsters and monstrosities. Then they seem less monstrous themselves. When they get blind-drunk, cheat, steal, beat their wives, starve an old woman, when they kill a trapped fox with an axe or riddle the last existing unicorn with arrows, they like to think that the Bane entering cottages at daybreak is more monstrous than they are. They feel better then. They find it easier to live.
Interpretation
People create external 'monsters' to avoid acknowledging their own wrongdoings and shortcomings.
In this quote, Andrzej Sapkowski highlights the human tendency to project evil onto others or external forces rather than confronting our own moral failings. By labeling certain actions or individuals as monstrous, individuals absolve themselves from their own guilt and feel justified in their behavior, allowing for a distorted view of morality where their own actions seem less harmful by comparison.
In practice
This quote could be used to spark a discussion in a philosophy class about ethics and moral relativism.
You've a right to believe that we're governed by Nature and the hidden Force within her. You can think that the gods, including my Melitele, are merely a personification of this power invented for simpletons so they can understand it better, accept its existence. According to you, that power is blind. But for me, Geralt, faith allows you to expect what my goddess personifies from nature: order, law, goodness. And hope.
But truly, if I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes.
Nintendo's philosophy is never to go the easy path; it's always to challenge ourselves and try to do something new.
Man's needs are infinite, and infinitude can be achieved only in the spiritual realm, never in the material.
Often do the spirits stride on before the event; and in today already walks tomorrow.
Take a pitcher full of water and set it down in the water-now it has water inside and water outside. We mustn't give it a name, lest silly people start talking again about the body and the soul.
I mean it as a compliment when I say that you could almost define a philosopher as someone who won't take common sense for an answer.
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