There is nothing in the world so monstrously vast as our indifference.
Interpretation
Indifference can be more overwhelming than any tangible force in the world.
This quote by Machado De Assis highlights the significant impact of human indifference. It suggests that indifference towards the suffering or needs of others creates a vast emptiness that can overshadow even the greatest challenges or events, emphasizing the importance of empathy and engagement in the human experience.
In practice
In a speech about social justice, one could use this quote to emphasize the importance of compassion.
Let Pascal say that man is a thinking reed. He is wrong; man is a thinking erratum. Each period in life is a new edition that corrects the preceding one and that in turn will be corrected by the next, until publication of the definitive edition, which the publisher donates to the worms.
In ordinary life, the action of a third party does not free the contractor from an obligation; but the advantage of making a contract with heaven is that intentions are valid currency.
Por que bonita, se coxa? Por que coxa, se bonita?
To him the stars seemed like so many musical notes affixed to the sky, just waiting for somebody to unfasten them. Someday the sky would be emptied, but by then the earth would be a constellation of musical scores
Africa is rich, and why are we poor then if our continent is rich. It is not right.
Every true faith is infallible. It performs what the believing person hopes to find in it. But it does not offer the least support for the establishing of an objective truth. Here the ways of men divide. If you want to achieve peace of mind and happiness, have faith. If you want to be a disciple of truth, then search.
Those who are able to see beyond the shadows and lies of their culture will never be understood let alone believed by the masses.
"You cannot believe what you are saying." "Well, no. Hardly ever. But the philosopher is like the poet. The latter composes ideal letters for an ideal nymph, only to plumb with his words the depths of passion. The philosopher tests the coldness of his gaze, to see how far he can undermine the fortress of bigotry."
We have a new generation of very rich people who want to do more with their money than buy a lot of expensive toys. They want to live meaningful lives.
Sir, what can be said of these things? Is it the arm of the flesh that hath done these things? Is it the wisdom and counsel, or strength of man? It is the Lord only. God will curse that man and his house that dares to think otherwise. Sir, you see the work is done by a Divine leading. God gets into the hearts of men, and persuades them to come under you.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.