So you find yourself surrounded by death and horror in the world, and you escape it into lust. But lust has no duration; it leaves you again in the desert.
Interpretation
The quote reflects on the transient nature of lust as a temporary escape from the harsh realities of life.
Hermann Hesse's quote delves into the human tendency to seek escape from the grim aspects of existence, such as death and horror, through lustful pursuits. However, he points out that this escape is short-lived, ultimately leaving an individual in a desolate state, akin to a barren desert. The message emphasizes the futility of relying on fleeting pleasures to address deeper life challenges and suggests a need for more substantial forms of fulfillment.
In practice
In a discussion about the consequences of hedonism at a philosophy club meeting.
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 β 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.
There's an African proverb: 'When death finds you, may it find you alive.' Alive means living your own damned life, not the life that your parents wanted, or the life some cultural group or political party wanted, but the life that your own soul wants to live.
What's wrong with men?" Tenar inquired cautiously. As cautiously, lowering her voice, Moss replied, "I don't know, my dearie. I've thought on it. Often I've thought on it. The best I can say it is like this. A man's in his skin, see, like a nut in its shell." She held up her long, bent, wet fingers as if holding a walnut. "It's hard and strong, that shell, and it's all full of him. Full of grand man-meat, man-self. And that's all. That's all there is. It's all him and nothing else, inside.
Remember one thing about democracy. We can have anything we want and at the same time, we always end up with exactly what we deserve.
I fear uniformity. You cannot manufacture great men any more than you can manufacture gold.
Treating an identity as an illness invites real illness to make a braver stand.
Goodness is achieved not in a vacuum, but in the company of other men, attended by love.
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