What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: The quote “Men become civilized, not in proportion to their willingness to believe, but in their readiness to doubt” encapsulates a profound insight into the nature of human progress and societal evolution. At its core, this statement suggests that the advancement of civilizations is not solely dependent […]
The trouble with fighting for human freedom is that one spends most of one’s time defending scoundrels. For it is against scoundrels that oppressive laws are first aimed, and oppression must be stopped at the beginning if it is to be stopped at all.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This insightful quote delves into the inherent challenges of advocating for human freedom, shedding light on the paradoxical nature of defending the rights of individuals. The central theme revolves around the notion that those who champion the cause of human liberty often find themselves compelled to protect […]
Man is a beautiful machine that works very badly. He is, in fact, only tolerably efficient as a machine.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: The quote posits a profound observation about the intricacies of human nature, likening the human being to a complex and aesthetically pleasing machine that operates with a notable flaw in its functionality. In essence, it suggests that despite the inherent beauty of the human form and mind, […]
A judge is a law student who marks his own examination papers.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: The quote “A judge is a law student who marks his own examination papers” encapsulates a profound observation about the inherent subjectivity and self-referential nature of legal interpretation within the judicial system. At its core, the quote delves into the complex relationship between a judge, who serves […]
All men are frauds. The only difference between them is that some admit it. I myself deny it.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This quote delves into the complex and often contradictory nature of human identity, suggesting that a universal element of deceit permeates through all individuals. The sweeping declaration that “all men are frauds” doesn’t necessarily imply a malicious intent but rather underscores the inherent fallibility of human beings. […]
It is inaccurate to say that I hate everything. I am strongly in favor of common sense, common honesty, and common decency. This makes me forever ineligible for public office.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: The essence of this quote lies in a nuanced reflection on the speaker’s perspective towards the world and their values, encapsulated within a paradoxical statement. The declaration, “It is inaccurate to say that I hate everything,” initiates an exploration of the speaker’s disposition towards the multitude of […]
It is impossible to imagine the universe run by a wise, just and omnipotent God, but it is quite easy to imagine it run by a board of gods.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This thought-provoking quote delves into the complex nature of the universe and the concept of divine governance. The essence lies in the challenge of reconciling the attributes of wisdom, justice, and omnipotence within a single deity versus distributing these qualities among a collective entity, symbolized here as […]
Nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This quote encapsulates a cynical perspective on the prevailing consumer culture, suggesting that underestimating the discernment or refined taste of the American public can be a profitable strategy. At its core, this statement implies that there is a tendency within the market to cater to what may […]
To be in love is merely to be in a state of perceptual anesthesia – to mistake an ordinary young man for a Greek god or an ordinary young woman for a goddess.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: The essence of the quote lies in its contemplation of the nature of love and the perceptual shift that accompanies it. The metaphorical concept of “perceptual anesthesia” introduces the idea that being in love alters our perception, akin to a state of anesthesia numbing the senses. In […]
We are here and it is now. Further than that, all human knowledge is moonshine.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: The quote “We are here and it is now. Further than that, all human knowledge is moonshine” encapsulates a profound perspective on the nature of existence and the limitations of human understanding. At its core, the quote emphasizes the immediacy and reality of the present moment. The […]
The average man does not get pleasure out of an idea because he thinks it is true; he thinks it is true because he gets pleasure out of it.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This thought-provoking quote delves into the intricate relationship between belief and pleasure, challenging the conventional notion that people form convictions based on objective truth. At its core, the quote suggests that the average person is not primarily driven by an intellectual pursuit of truth when adopting an […]
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This intriguing quote delves into the complex and multifaceted nature of the human experience, exploring the innate, primal urges that reside within each individual. The metaphorical imagery of spitting on one’s hands, hoisting the black flag, and slitting throats serves as a vivid representation of the innate […]
The urge to save humanity is almost always only a false face for the urge to rule it.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This thought-provoking quote delves into the complex interplay between altruism and the pursuit of power, suggesting that the noble aspiration to “save humanity” can often conceal a more self-serving motive — the desire to exert control over it. At its core, the quote invites us to scrutinize […]
The chief value of money lies in the fact that one lives in a world in which it is overestimated.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: The quote, “The chief value of money lies in the fact that one lives in a world in which it is overestimated,” encapsulates a profound perspective on the nature of currency and its significance in our lives. At its core, this statement prompts a reflection on the […]
A cynic is a man who, when he smells flowers, looks around for a coffin.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: At its core, the quote encapsulates the essence of cynicism, presenting it as a lens through which an individual perceives the world. The imagery of smelling flowers and immediately searching for a coffin serves as a vivid metaphor for the cynic’s inclination to view even the most […]
The older I grow the more I distrust the familiar doctrine that age brings wisdom.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This thought-provoking quote delves into the conventional belief that advancing age inherently results in increased wisdom. The speaker expresses a growing skepticism towards the widely held notion that as one accumulates more years of life, a corresponding augmentation in wisdom is an inevitable outcome. To unravel the […]
A newspaper is a device for making the ignorant more ignorant and the crazy crazier.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This provocative quote suggests a critical perspective on the impact of newspapers, portraying them as instruments that potentially exacerbate ignorance and amplify the eccentricities of those already prone to irrational thinking. To unravel the layers of meaning embedded in this statement, it is essential to delve into […]
The capacity of human beings to bore one another seems to be vastly greater than that of any other animal.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: At the heart of this intriguing observation lies a profound commentary on the intricate dynamics of human interaction, suggesting that the ability of humans to induce a sense of tedium in one another surpasses that of any other species. The quote draws attention to a fundamental aspect […]
No one in this world, so far as I know, has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This quote suggests a cynical perspective on human intelligence, asserting that underestimating the intellectual capacity of the general populace is a safe bet when it comes to financial gain. The phrase “the great masses of the plain people” implies a broad cross-section of society, emphasizing the speaker’s […]
Moral certainty is always a sign of cultural inferiority.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: The quote “Moral certainty is always a sign of cultural inferiority” encapsulates a profound observation about the complex interplay between morality, cultural diversity, and intellectual humility. At its core, this statement challenges the notion that unwavering moral certainty reflects a superior cultural or ethical standpoint. Instead, it […]
Democracy is the art and science of running the circus from the monkey cage.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: The quote “Democracy is the art and science of running the circus from the monkey cage” encapsulates a profound observation about the intricate dynamics of democratic governance. At its core, this statement reflects a nuanced perspective on the challenges and complexities inherent in the democratic process. To […]
For every complex problem, there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: This insightful quote delves into the nature of problem-solving and the human tendency to seek straightforward solutions to complex issues. At its core, the quote suggests that in the face of intricate problems, individuals often gravitate towards solutions that appear clear and simple on the surface, but […]
Puritanism: The haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: The quote “Puritanism: The haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy” encapsulates a satirical commentary on a perceived characteristic of Puritanism, a religious and cultural movement that emerged during the 16th and 17th centuries. At its core, the quote suggests that Puritanism is characterized by an […]
Love is the triumph of imagination over intelligence.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: The quote “Love is the triumph of imagination over intelligence” encapsulates a profound insight into the complex interplay between two fundamental aspects of human experience: love and the cognitive faculties of imagination and intelligence. At its core, the statement suggests that love, in its purest form, often […]
Conscience is the inner voice that warns us somebody may be looking.
What’s the meaning of this quote? Quote Meaning: The quote “Conscience is the inner voice that warns us somebody may be looking” encapsulates a profound perspective on human morality and ethical behavior. At its core, the statement suggests that our conscience, that internal compass guiding our decisions, is not solely driven by an innate sense […]
