The illiterate of the future will not be the man who cannot read the alphabet, but the one who cannot take a photograph.
Walter BenjaminRead
Living substance conquers the frenzy of destruction only in the ecstasy of procreation.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Creation and life persist despite chaos and destruction.
Walter Benjamin's quote expresses the idea that the essence of life, described here as 'living substance', has the power to overcome the turmoil and destruction in the world through the joy and act of creation, or procreation. This quote highlights the fundamental resilience of life against adversity, suggesting that even in the face of chaos, the act of bringing forth new life is both a source of happiness and a victory over destruction.
Themes
CreationLifeDestructionResilienceProcreationJoy
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could inspire artists at a gallery opening to reflect on the importance of creativity.
More from Walter Benjamin
All quotes →If mythic violence is lawmaking, divine violence is law-destroying; if the former sets boundaries, the latter boundlessly destroys them; if mythic violence brings at once guilt and retribution, divine power only expiates; if the former threatens, the latter strikes; if the former is bloody, the latter is lethal without spilling blood
Walter BenjaminRead
Writers are really people who write books not because they are poor, but because they are dissatisfied with the books which they could buy but do not like.
Walter BenjaminRead
Nothing is poorer than a truth expressed as it was thought. Committed to writing in such cases, it is not even a bad photograph. Truth wants to be startled abruptly, at one stroke, from her self-immersion, whether by uproar, music or cries for help.
Walter BenjaminRead
I am unpacking my library. Yes I am. The books are not yet on the shelves, not yet touched by the mild boredom of order.
Walter BenjaminRead
How many cities have revealed themselves to me in the marches I undertook in the pursuit of books!
Walter BenjaminRead
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