Solitude lies at the lowest depth of the human condition. Man is the only being who feels himself to be alone and the only one who is searching for the Other.
Octavio PazRead
As it defines itself, every society defines other societies. That definition almost always takes the form of a condemnation: the 'other' is the barbarian.
Interpretation
Societies often create definitions of themselves in contrast to others, often labeling outsiders negatively.
In this quote, Octavio Paz explores the idea that societies derive their identities not only from their own beliefs and values but also in opposition to other societies. This opposition often manifests through a lens of condemnation, where the 'other' is deemed barbaric or inferior, suggesting that the perceptions of one group's civilization are shaped by its discernments of another group's culture.
In practice
During a debate on cultural relativism, one might invoke this quote to illustrate how societies often judge others harshly.
Solitude lies at the lowest depth of the human condition. Man is the only being who feels himself to be alone and the only one who is searching for the Other.
By suppressing differences and peculiarities, by eliminating different civilizations and cultures, progress weakens life and favors death
The North American system only wants to consider the positive aspects of reality. Men and women are subjected from childhood to an inexorable process of adaptation certain principles, contained in brief formulas are endlessly repeated by the Press, the radio, the churches, and the schools, and by those kindly, sinister beings, the North American mothers and wives. A person imprisoned by these schemes is like a plant in a flowerpot too small for it he cannot grow or mature.
Poetry is not a genre in harmony with the modern world; its innermost nature is hostile or indifferent to the dogmas of modern times, progress and the cult of the future.
If we are a metaphor of the universe, the human couple is the metaphor par excellence, the point of intersection of all forces and the seed of all forms. The couple is time recaptured, the return to the time before time.
Man, even man debased by the neocapitalism and pseudosocialism of our time, is a marvelous being because he sometimes speaks. Language is the mark, the sign, not of his fall but of his original innocence. Through the Word we may regain the lost kingdom and recover powers we possessed in the far-distant past.
Satan, really, is the romantic youth of Jesus re-appearing for a moment.
Wine is the most civilized thing in the world.
I've no idea where ideas come from and I hope I never find out; it would spoil the excitement for me if it turned out I just have a funny little wrinkle on the surface of my brain which makes me think about invisible train platforms.
Baseball serves as a good model for democracy in action: Every player is equally important and each has a chance to be a hero.
I believe in a religion that believes in freedom. Any time I have to accept a religion that won't let me fight a battle for my people, I say to hell with that religion.
The simple statement, 'God is for us', is in truth one of the richest and weightiest utterances that the Bible contains.
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