Socrates told us, "the unexamined life is not worth living." I think he's calling for curiosity, more than knowledge. In every human society at all times and at all levels, the curious are at the leading edge.
Roger EbertRead
The idea that a book can advise a woman how to capture a man is touchingly naive. Books advising men how to capture a woman are far less common, perhaps because few men are willing to admit to such a difficulty. For both sexes, I recommend a good novel, offering scenarios you might learn from, if only because they reflect a lot of doubt.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote critiques the simplistic notion that books can provide straightforward advice on romantic relationships, emphasizing the complexity of attraction and understanding between genders.
Roger Ebert's quote highlights the misguided belief that there's a simple formula for winning someone's heart, particularly from the perspective of women. It notes the scarcity of resources aimed at men, calling attention to the societal reluctance to acknowledge the struggles involved in romantic pursuits. Ebert suggests that instead of seeking direct advice, one might gain more valuable insights by engaging with well-crafted novels, which can present complex emotional scenarios that resonate with the uncertainties we all face in love.
Themes
BooksLoveRelationshipsAdviceNovels
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about modern dating, you could reference this quote to highlight the absurdity of self-help advice.
More from Roger Ebert
All quotes →Vincent Gallo has put a curse on my colon and a hex on my prostate. He called me a 'fat pig' in the New York Post and told the New York Observer I have 'the physique of a slave-trader.' He is angry at me because I said his 'The Brown Bunny' was the worst movie in the history of the Cannes Film Festival... _x000D_ it is true that I am fat, but one day I will be thin, and he will still be the director of 'The Brown Bunny.'
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I was born inside the movie of my life. The visuals were before me, the audio surrounded me, the plot unfolded inevitably but not necessarily. I don't remember how I got into the movie, but it continues to entertain me.
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Why do alcoholics begin down the same hazardous road day after day? They are in search of that elusive window of well-being that opens when you drink your way out of a hangover and aren't yet drunk all over again. The alcoholic's day consists of trying to keep that window open.
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There are no guarantees. But there is also nothing to fear. We come from oblivion when we are born. We return to oblivion when we die. The astonishing thing is this period of in-between.
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Parents and schools should place great emphasis on the idea that it is all right to be different. Racism and all the other 'isms' grow from primitive tribalism, the instinctive hostility against those of another tribe, race, religion, nationality, class or whatever. You are a lucky child if your parents taught you to accept diversity.
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