A recluse without books and ink is already in life a dead man.
Alfred NobelRead
Second to agriculture, humbug is the biggest industry of our age.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Humbug refers to deceit or nonsense, suggesting that a lot of what is presented to us may be misleading or insincere.
Alfred Nobel's quote highlights the prevalence of humbug in society, implying that while agriculture is essential for sustenance, the abundance of nonsense, insincerity, and deception in various fields is equally significant. This observation encourages critical thinking and discernment in how we interpret information and the intentions behind it.
Themes
HumbugIndustryDeceptionTruthAgriculture
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of honesty in business, one might quote Nobel to emphasize the prevalence of deceptive practices.
More from Alfred Nobel
All quotes βJustice is to be found only in the imagination.
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The savants will write excellent volumes. There will be laureates. But wars will continue just the same until the forces of the circumstances render them impossible.
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I regard large inherited wealth as a misfortune, which merely serves to dull men's faculties. A man who possesses great wealth should, therefore, allow only a small portion to descend to his relatives. Even if he has children, I consider it a mistake to hand over to them considerable sums of money beyond what is necessary for their education. To do so merely encourages laziness and impedes the healthy development of the individual's capacity to make an independent position for himself.
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A heart can no more be forced to love than a stomach can be forced to digest food by persuasion.
Alfred NobelRead
I intend to leave after my death a large fund for the promotion of the peace idea, but I am skeptical as to its results.
Alfred NobelRead
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I have no intention of uttering my last words on the stage. Room service and a couple of depraved young women will do me quite nicely for an exit.
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