You treat world history as a mathematician does mathematics, in which nothing but laws and formulas exist, no reality, no good and evil, no time, no yesterday, no tomorrow, nothing but an eternal, shallow, mathematical present.
Interpretation
The quote reflects on the perception of history, suggesting that viewing it purely through a mathematical lens strips away its emotional and moral dimensions.
In this quote, Hermann Hesse conveys a critical perspective on the way history can be analyzed and understood. By likening historical understanding to the cold and detached lens of mathematics, he highlights how this approach neglects the complexities of human experience, emotions, and moral judgments—reducing the richness of history to mere formulas and laws. Hesse argues for a more nuanced appreciation of history that acknowledges the importance of time, moral values, and the human condition.
In practice
In a speech about the importance of learning from past mistakes, one might use this quote to emphasize the emotional and moral significance of history.
I shall no longer be instructed by the Yoga Veda or the Aharva Veda, or the ascetics, or any other doctrine whatsoever. I shall learn from myself, be a pupil of myself; I shall get to know myself, the mystery of Siddhartha." He looked around as if he were seeing the world for the first time.
That is where my dearest and brightest dreams have ranged — to hear for the duration of a heartbeat the universe and the totality of life in its mysterious, innate harmony.
I, also, would like to look and smile, sit and walk like that, so free, so worthy, so restrained, so candid, so childlike and mysterious. A man only looks and walks like that when he has conquered his Self. I also will conquer my Self.
You're quite right there," he said. "I have practiced abstinence myself for years, and had my time of fasting, too, but now I find myself once more beneath the sign of Aquarius, a dark and humid constellation.
I call that man awake who, with conscious knowledge and understanding, can perceive the deep unreasoning powers in his soul, his whole innermost strength, desire and weakness, and knows how to reckon with himself.
Despair is the result of each earnest attempt to go through life with virtue, justice and understanding, and to fulfill their requirements. Children live on one side of despair, the awakened on the other side.
[death]...the abyss from where no traveler is permitted to return
I am a part of all that I have met. Yet, experience is an arch wherethro gleams that untravl'd world whose margin fades forever and forever when I move.
No man is so methodical as a complete idler, and none so scrupulous in measuring out his time as he whose time is worth nothing.
The natural tendency of every government is to grow steadily worse-that is, to grow more satisfactory to those who constitute it and less satisfactory to those who support it.
Rhianon, he said, hold my hand, Rhianon. She did not hear him, but stood over his bed and fixed him with an unbroken sorrow. Hold my hand, he said, and then: why are your putting the sheet over my face?
The body is an instrument, the mind its function, the witness and reward of its operation.
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