QuoteProject
I would rather be a man of paradoxes than a man of prejudices.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Embracing complexity is better than holding onto simplified judgments.

This quote by Jean-Jacques Rousseau emphasizes the value of accepting contradictions within oneself and the world. Instead of adhering to narrow-minded prejudices that limit understanding, Rousseau advocates for a more open, thoughtful approach that acknowledges the nuanced and complex nature of human experience.

Themes

ParadoxesPrejudicesUnderstandingComplexityThoughtfulness

In practice

Example use cases

In a debate about social issues, this quote can remind participants to approach topics with an open mind rather than judging others unfairly.

More from Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Patience patience quotes is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.
Jean-Jacques RousseauRead
The infant, on opening his eyes, ought to see his country, and to the hour of his death never lose sight of it.
Jean-Jacques RousseauRead
What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?
Jean-Jacques RousseauRead
O love, if I regret the age when one savors you, it is not for the hour of pleasure, but for the one that follows it.
Jean-Jacques RousseauRead
Those people who treat politics and morality separately will never understand either of them.
Jean-Jacques RousseauRead
As evening approached, I came down from the heights of the island, and I liked then to go and sit on the shingle in some secluded spot by the lake; there the noise of the waves and the movement of the water, taking hold of my senses and driving all other agitation from my soul, would plunge me into delicious reverie in which night often stole upon me unawares.
Jean-Jacques RousseauRead

Similar quotes

As the gospels present it to us, the mission of Jesus of Nazareth is about the way in which the community of God's people - historically, the Jewish people who had first received the law and the covenant - is being re-created in relation to Jesus himself.
Rowan WilliamsRead
It is very dangerous to go into eternity with possibilities which one has oneself prevented from becoming realities. A possibility is a hint from God. One must follow it.
Soren KierkegaardRead
Even faith in God is only a stage on the way. Ultimately you abandon all, for you come to something so simple that there are no words to express it.
Sri Nisargadatta MaharajRead
There is a fear of voluptuousness that is itself voluptuous, just as a certain fear of death can itself be deadly.
Joseph RothRead
If you look within the United States, religion seems to make you a better person. Yet atheist societies do very well - better, in many ways, than devout ones.
Paul BloomRead
All general judgments are loose and imperfect
Michel De MontaigneRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.

Quote by Jean-Jacques Rousseau | QuoteProject