The existence of the soldier, next to capital punishment, is the most grievous vestige of barbarism which survives among men.
Alfred De VignyRead
I have a private theory, Sir, that there are no heroes and no monsters in this world. Only children should be allowed to use these words
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that concepts of heroes and monsters are simplistic and best left to the imagination of children.
Alfred De Vigny's quote reflects a philosophical perspective on human nature, arguing that the terms 'heroes' and 'monsters' are oversimplifications that fail to capture the complexities of morality and character in adulthood. He proposes that as mature individuals, we should recognize the shades of grey within humanity rather than confining people to these binary roles, which are more fitting for the innocent and imaginative minds of children.
Themes
HeroesMonstersHuman NaturePhilosophyMorality
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about morality in literature, one might say, 'As Alfred De Vigny said, there are no heroes and no monsters in this world, reminding us to see the complexity in people.'
More from Alfred De Vigny
All quotes βWe shall find in our troubled hearts, where discord reigns, two needs which seem at variance, but which merge, as I think, in a common source - the love of the true, and the love of the fabulous.
Alfred De VignyRead
History is a novel for which the people is the author.
Alfred De VignyRead
Do you not see with your own eyes the chrysalis fact assume by degrees the wings of fiction?
Alfred De VignyRead
Of what use were the arts if they were only the reproduction and the imitation of life?
Alfred De VignyRead
Of what use is the memory of facts, if not to serve as an example of good or of evil?
Alfred De VignyRead
Similar quotes
When the gods wish to punish us they answer our prayers.
Oscar WildeRead
At one time, the earth was supposed to be flat. Well, so it is, even today, from Paris to Asnieres. But that fact doesn't prevent science from proving that the earth as a whole is spherical. No one nowadays denies it. Well...we are still at the stage of believing that life itself is flat, the distance from birth to death. Yet the probability is that life, too, is spherical and much more extensive and capacious than the hemisphere we know.
Vincent Van GoghRead
The problem is we need much more moral content.
Cornel WestRead
One has freedom as the principal means of action; the other has servitude. Their . . . paths [are] diverse; nevertheless, each seems called by some secret design of Providence one day to hold in its hands the destinies of half the world.
Alexis De TocquevilleRead
I may not be better than other people, but at least I'm different.
Jean-Jacques RousseauRead
'My country, right or wrong' is a thing no patriot would ever think of saying except in a desperate case. It is like saying 'My mother, drunk or sober.'
Gilbert K. ChestertonRead