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I don't like purely philosophical works. I think a little philosophy should be added to life and art by way of seasoning, but to make it one's specialty seems to me as strange as eating nothing but horseradish." - Lara, from Doctor Zhivago
Boris Pasternak
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Philosophy should enhance life and art, not dominate them.

In this quote, Lara expresses the belief that while philosophy has its place in enriching our understanding of life and art, it should not be the sole focus of our existence. Just as seasoning enhances food, philosophy should add depth and flavor to our experiences rather than overshadow them entirely, as an exclusive diet of horseradish would be unpleasant.

Themes

PhilosophyArtLifeSeasoningExperience

In practice

Example use cases

During a lecture on life and art, this quote could illustrate how to balance ideas.

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Our evenings are farewells. Our parties are testaments. So that the secret stream of suffering. May warm the cold of life.
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The most extraordinary discoveries are made when the artist is overwhelmed by what he has to say.
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Oh, how one wishes sometimes to escape from the meaningless dullness of human eloquence, from all those sublime phrases, to take refuge in nature, apparently so inarticulate, or in the wordlessness of long, grinding labor, of sound sleep, of true music, or of a human understanding rendered speechless by emotion!
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