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Prayers for the condemned man will be offered on an adding machine. Numbers constitute the only universal language.
Nathanael West
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote reflects the idea that numerical values are a universal form of communication, even in dire circumstances like being condemned.

Nathanael West's quote suggests that in the face of significant human experiences, such as death, the abstract representation of life through numbers becomes paramount. The reference to 'prayers for the condemned man' implies a bleak acceptance of fate, where numerical figures, signified by an 'adding machine,' overpower the emotional and spiritual aspects of human existence, highlighting a disconnection from what truly matters in life.

Themes

NumbersLanguageCommunicationLifeFate

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in a discussion about the impact of technology on human interaction.

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Art Is a Way Out. Do not let life overwhelm you. When the old paths are choked with the débris of failure, look for newer and fresher paths. Art is just such a path. Art is distilled from suffering.
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He felt as though his heart were a bomb, a complicated bomb that would result in a simple explosion, wrecking the world without rocking it.
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