The poison of skepticism becomes, like alcoholism, tuberculosis, and some other diseases, much more virulent in a hitherto virgin soil.
Interpretation
Skepticism can spread more aggressively in an unchallenged environment, similar to a disease in a new host.
Simone Weil's quote illustrates how skepticism, when introduced into a new environment that lacks previous exposure to doubt or critical thinking, can proliferate uncontrollably, much like certain diseases thrive in an unexposed population. This highlights the importance of fostering a culture of inquiry and critical thought to prevent harmful ideologies from taking root and spreading unchallenged.
In practice
Use this quote in a discussion about the importance of critical thinking in education.
The afflicted are not listened to. They are like someone whose tongue has been cut out and who occasionally forgets the fact. When they move their lips no ear perceives any sound. And they themselves soon sink into impotence in the use of language, because of the certainty of not being heard.
The appetite for power, even for universal power, is only insane when there is no possibility of indulging it; a man who sees the possibility opening before him and does not try to grasp it, even at the risk of destroying himself and his country, is either
As soon as men know that they can kill without fear of punishment or blame, they kill; or at least they encourage killers with approving smiles.
Evil is license, and that is why it is monotonous: everything has to be drawn from ourselves. One is condemned to false infinity. That is hell itself.
I am not a Catholic; but I consider the Christian idea, which has its roots in Greek thought and in the course of the centuries has nourished all of our European civilization, as something that one cannot renounce without becoming degraded.
How many people have been thus led, through lack of self-confidence, to stifle their most justified doubts?
I'll be darned!" said Douglas. "I never thought of that. That's brilliant! It's true. Old people never were children!" "And it's kind of sad," said Tom, sitting still."There's nothing we can do to help them.
They can fatten me up. They can give me a full body polish, dress me up, and make me beautiful again. They can design dream weapons that come to life in my hands, but they will never again brainwash me into the necessity of using them. I no longer feel allegiance to these monsters called human beings, despite being one myself.
The outer space beings are my brothers. They sent me here. They already_x000D_ know my music.
Every society, all government, and every kind of civil compact therefore, is or ought to be, calculated for the general good and safety of the community.
Being stuck in adolescence - that's a hell. 'Peter Pan' is a dystopia, and we forget that. Neverland is a bad place to be.
To say revelation is to say, 'the Word became flesh...'
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.