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To be silent the whole day long, see no newspaper, hear no radio, listen to no gossip, be thoroughly and completely lazy, thoroughly and completely indifferent to the fate of the world is the finest medicine a man can give himself.
Henry Miller
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Taking a break from the chaos of daily life can be healing for the mind and soul.

Henry Miller suggests that detaching oneself from the constant barrage of information and opinions from the world can serve as a powerful form of self-care. By embracing silence and indifference to external influences, one can achieve a state of tranquility that promotes mental well-being and personal reflection.

Themes

SilenceMeditationSelf-CareIndifferencePeace

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about mental health, one might say, 'As Henry Miller wisely stated, to be silent and indifferent to the noise of the world is the finest medicine we can give ourselves.'

More from Henry Miller

Jump off. You are a protected individual. Do not fear.
Henry MillerRead
I saw through to the last sign and symbol, but I could not read her face. I could see only the eyes shining through, huge, fleshy-like luminous beasts, as though I were swimming behind them in the electric effluvia of her incandescent vision.
Henry MillerRead
The essential thing is to WANT to sing. This then is a song. I am singing.
Henry MillerRead
Great God! What have I turned into? What right have you people to clutter up my life, steal my time, probe my soul, suckle my thoughts, have me for your companion, confidant, and information bureau? What do you take me for? Am I an entertainer on salary, required every evening to play an intellectual farce under your stupid noses? Am I a slave, bought and paid for, to crawl on my belly in front of you idlers and lay at your feet all that I do and all that I know?
Henry MillerRead
We are swimming on the face of time and all else has drowned, is drowning, or will drown.
Henry MillerRead
To sing you must first open your mouth. You must have a pair of lungs, and a little knowledge of music. It is not necessary to have an accordion, or a guitar. The essential thing is to want to sing. This then is a song. I am singing.
Henry MillerRead

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