Who are those people by whom you wish to be admired? Are they not these whom you are in the habit of saying that they are mad? What then? Do you wish to be admired by the mad?
EpictetusRead
The wild, cruel beast is not behind the bars of the cage. He is in front of it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The true danger lies not in captivity but in our own nature and actions.
Axel Munthe's quote highlights the idea that the real threat is not the wild beast trapped in a cage, but rather the beast within ourselves that embodies cruelty and violence. It suggests that our inner struggles and darker traits are more significant than the external circumstances we often blame for our problems.
Themes
CrueltyBeastNatureSelfPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
Use this quote in a discussion about human nature and morality.
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