Life never presents us with anything which may not be looked upon as a fresh starting point, no less than as a termination.
Andre GideRead
Through fear of resembling one another, through horror of having to submit, through uncertainty as well, through skepticism and complexity, there is a multitude of individual little beliefs for the triumph of strange little individuals.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the conflict between individuality and conformity, suggesting that diverse beliefs arise from fear and skepticism.
Andre Gide's quote reflects the struggle of individuals who fear losing their uniqueness amid societal pressures to conform. It suggests that the complexities of human experience and the fears associated with submission lead to a rich tapestry of individual beliefs, allowing strange individuals to thrive in their own distinct ways. This triumph of individuality is both a result of hesitation to conform and an affirmation of the diverse perspectives that arise from it.
Themes
IndividualityConformityBeliefsFearUniqueness
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion about individuality in art, one could quote this to emphasize the importance of personal beliefs.
More from Andre Gide
All quotes →Do not do what someone else could do as well as you. Do not say, do not write what someone else could say, could write as well as you. Care for nothing in yourself but what you feel exists nowhere else. And, out of yourself create, impatiently or patiently, the most irreplaceable of beings.
Andre GideRead
Old hands soil, it seems, whatever they caress, but they too have their beauty when they are joined in prayer. Young hands were made for caresses and the sheathing of love. It is a pity to make them join too soon.
Andre GideRead
It is the special quality of love not to be able to remain stationary, to be obliged to increase under pain of diminishing.
Andre GideRead
It is with noble sentiments that bad literature gets written.
Andre GideRead
I intend to bring you strength, joy, courage, perspicacity, defiance.
Andre GideRead
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