Don't take shadows too seriously. Reality is your only safety. Continue to reject illusion.
Wole SoyinkaRead
A war, with its attendant human suffering, must, when that evil is unavoidable, be made to fragment more than buildings: It must shatter the foundations of thought and re-create. Only in this way does every individual share in the cataclysm and understand the purpose of sacrifice.
Interpretation
What this quote means
War leads to suffering, which should provoke profound changes in thought and understanding.
Wole Soyinka highlights that the devastation of war goes beyond physical destruction; it should lead to a critical re-evaluation of our beliefs, values, and understanding of sacrifice. The trauma and loss experienced during such times should not only be recognized but also serve as a catalyst for collective enlightenment and transformation.
Themes
WarSufferingThoughtSacrificeTransformation
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech at a memorial service for fallen soldiers, one might use this quote to discuss the deeper implications of sacrifice.
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Art is solace; art is vision, and when I pick up a literary work, I am a consumer of literature for its own sake.
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I'm an Afro-realist. I take what comes, and I do my best to affect what is unacceptable in society.
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