God how I hate new countries: They are older than the old, more sophisticated, much more conceited, only young in a certain puerile vanity more like senility than anything.
D. H. LawrenceRead
The American grips himself, at the very sources of his consciousness, in a grip of care: and then, to so much of the rest of life, is indifferent. Whereas, the European hasn't got so much care in him, so he cares much more for life and living.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote contrasts the American and European approaches to life, emphasizing a greater care for existence in Europeans compared to Americans.
D. H. Lawrence observes a fundamental difference between American and European attitudes towards life. He suggests that Americans tend to focus intensely on their inner selves and consciousness, leading to indifference towards the external aspects of life. In contrast, Europeans are characterized by a more carefree approach that fosters a deeper appreciation and engagement with life itself. This reflection invites readers to consider how cultural attitudes shape our experiences and values.
Themes
CareLifeIndifferenceConsciousnessCulture
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about cultural differences in attitudes towards life during a philosophy class.
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All quotes →A young man is afraid of his demon and puts his hand over the demon's mouth sometimes and speaks for him. And the things the young man says are very rarely poetry.
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And besides, look at elder flowers and bluebells-they are a sign that pure creation takes place - even the butterfly. But humanity never gets beyond the caterpillar stage -it rots in the chrysalis, it never will have wings.It is anti-creation, like monkeys and baboons.
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The Christian fear of the pagan outlook has damaged the whole consciousness of man.
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The cosmos is a vast living body, of which we are still parts. The sun is a great heart whose tremors run through our smallest veins. The moon is a great nerve center from which we quiver forever. Who knows the power that Saturn has over us, or Venus? But it is a vital power, rippling exquisitely through us all the time.
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... he preferred his own madness, to the regular sanity. He rejoiced in his own madness, he was free. He did not want that old sanity of the world, which was become so repulsive. He rejoiced in the new-found world of his madness. It was so fresh and delicate and so satisfying.
D. H. LawrenceRead
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