To his dog, every man is Napoleon; hence the constant popularity of dogs.
Aldous HuxleyRead
One of the many reasons for the bewildering and tragic character of human existence is the fact that social organization is at once necessary and fatal. Men are forever creating such organizations for their own convenience and forever finding themselves the victims of their home-made monsters.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Human social structures can be both essential for organization and detrimental to individual freedom.
In this quote, Aldous Huxley reflects on the paradox of social organization, highlighting how these necessary constructs, designed to facilitate human interaction and convenience, often turn against those who create them. He suggests that individuals become captives of their own societal frameworks, which can lead to unforeseen consequences and suffering.
Themes
Social OrganizationHuman ExistenceConvenienceMonstersSociety
In practice
Example use cases
This quote is perfect for a discussion about the impact of bureaucracy in modern life.
More from Aldous Huxley
All quotes →Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.
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In the course of history many more people have died for their drink and their dope than have died for their religion or their country.
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On no account brood over your wrongdoing. Rolling in the muck is not the best way of getting clean.
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No man ever dared to manifest his boredom so insolently as does a Siamese tomcat when he yawns in the face of his amorously importunate wife.
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The leech's kiss, the squid's embrace, The prurient ape's defiling touch: And do you like the human race? No, not much.
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