The priest has just baptized you a Christian with water; and I baptize you a Frenchman, daring child, with a dewdrop of champagne on your lips.
Paul ClaudelRead
When man tries to imagine Paradise on earth, the immediate result is a very respectable Hell.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Desiring perfection often leads to the creation of distress and conflict.
This quote suggests that when individuals attempt to envision or create an ideal world, they may inadvertently produce conditions that are contrary to their desires, which can lead to turmoil or suffering. It highlights the complexity of human nature and the paradox that striving for utopia can result in undesirable outcomes, reflecting the challenges of idealism in the real world.
Themes
ParadiseHellImaginationIdealismHuman Nature
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion about societal reform, one might say this quote to emphasize the potential unintended consequences of striving for a perfect society.
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