Mankind today is still making history without having any conscious idea of what it really wants or under what conditions it would stop being unhappy; in fact what it is doing seems to be making itself more unhappy and calling that unhappiness progress.
Interpretation
This quote critiques humanity's pursuit of progress despite increasing unhappiness.
Norman O. Brown reflects on the paradox of human progress, suggesting that despite continuous advancements and historical achievements, individuals and society often lack clarity about their true desires and the conditions necessary for happiness. He posits that this confusion leads to a cycle of unhappiness, where people mistakenly equate their struggles and dissatisfaction with a form of progress, highlighting the need for self-awareness and intentionality in the pursuit of a fulfilling life.
In practice
In a speech about societal progress and its implications on mental health, this quote can highlight the disconnection between achievements and happiness.
I perceive a necessary gap between seeing and being. I would not be able to have said certain things if I had been under the obligation to unify the word and the deed. As it is I can let my words reach out and net impossible things - things that are impossible for me to do. And this is a way to pay the price for saying or seeing things.
Resisting madness is the maddest way of being mad.
The human body is not a thing or substance, given, but a continuous creation. The human body is an energy system which is never a complete structure; never static; is in perpetual inner self-construction and self-destruction; we destroy in order to make it new.
I think most people are interested in our origins; once we understand, it might be easier to become the people we'd like to be. Or, better, become the people we think we already are.
I would rather be adorned by beauty of character than jewels. Jewels are the gift of fortune, while character comes from within.
In conlusion, there is no conclusion. Things will go on as they always have, getting weirder all the time.
I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag.
Can anything be so elegant as to have few wants, and to serve them one's self?
Familiarity confounds all traits of distinction; interest and prejudice take away the power of judging.
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