All governments are in equal measure good and evil. The best ideal is anarchy.
Leo TolstoyRead
We thrust our fingers into our ears to stop its moan; but it was no good; the cry cut like a drill into our heads, dragging minutes into hours, hours into years. We withered and grew old between those cries.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the unavoidable nature of time and suffering, illustrating how we cannot escape the pain of existence.
Ernst Toller’s quote poignantly captures the idea that despite our attempts to ignore or silence the pain and suffering in our lives, it persists relentlessly. The vivid imagery of time stretching painfully emphasizes how enduring these cries of anguish can make us feel as though time itself is being warped, causing significant life change and aging, highlighting the importance of confronting rather than retreating from our struggles.
Themes
TimeSufferingPainExistenceAging
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about overcoming adversity, you might say, 'As Toller reminds us, ignoring pain doesn't make it disappear; we must confront it to truly live.'
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