I think we are blind. Blind people who can see, but do not see.
Interpretation
The quote suggests that many people fail to perceive the deeper truths and realities of life, despite having the ability to see.
In this quote, Saramago highlights the concept of metaphorical blindness, where individuals may have physical sight yet remain oblivious to the significant and often overlooked truths around them. This blindness can stem from societal conditioning, apathy, or indifference, thereby pointing to the importance of awareness and genuine perception in understanding the world and ourselves.
In practice
During a discussion on societal issues, this quote can illustrate how many ignore the realities facing others.
Why did we become blind, I don't know, perhaps one day we'll find out, Do you want me to tell you what I think, Yes, do, I don't think we did go blind, I think we are blind, Blind but seeing, Blind people who can see, but do not see.
I can't imagine myself outside any kind of social or political involvement. Yes, I'm a writer, but I live in this world, and my writing doesn't exist on a separate level. And if people know who I am and read my books, well, good; that way, if I have something more to say, then everyone benefits.
...you have to leave the island in order to see the island, that we can't see ourselves unless we become free of ourselves, Unless we escape from ourselves you mean, No, that's not the same thing.
Whether we like it or not, the one justification for the existence of all religions is death, they need death as much as we need bread to eat.
With the passage of time, as well as the social evolution and genetic exchange, we ended up putting our conscience in the color of our blood and the salt of our tears.
En ningún momento de la historia, en ningún lugar del planeta, las religiones han servido para que los seres humanos se acerquen unos a los otros. Por el contrario, sólo han servido para separar, para quemar, para torturar. No creo en dios, no lo necesito y además soy buena persona.
When You Hold Onto Your History, You Do It At The Expense Of Your Destiny.
Capitalism may even be identical with the restraint, or at least a rational tempering, of this irrational impulse. But capitalism is identical with the restraint, or at least a rational tempering, of this irrational impulse. But capitalism is identical with the pursuit of profit, and forever renewed profit, by means of continuous, rational, capitalistic enterprise.
It is not good to talk about Zen, because Zen is nothingness... If you talk about it, you are always lying, and if you don't talk about it, no one knows it is there.
Reality does not easily give up meaning; it's the biographer's job to clobber it into submission. You're meant not only to tame it but to extract substance, to identify cause and axiomatic effect. You subsist on the tactical omissions, the hollow words, the oddly unconnected dots.
Dying is nothing to fear. It can be the most wonderful experience of your life. It all depends on how you've lived.
Without the way, there is no going; without the truth, there is no knowing; without the life, there is no living.
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