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Hamlet misspoke, Strawl decided. It is consciousness that…

“Hamlet misspoke, Strawl decided. It is consciousness that makes cowards of us all, not conscience. Right and wrong are venomless when compared to the simple awareness of being alive. The knowledge that existence can equal something past the sum of our circulation and digestion, that those…” quote by Bruce Holbert
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““Hamlet misspoke, Strawl decided. It is consciousness that makes cowards of us all, not conscience. Right and wrong are venomless when compared to the simple awareness of being alive. The knowledge that existence can equal something past the sum of our circulation and digestion, that those corporeal purposes serve a galaxy of space between a man's ears, whose suns and planets obey his own peculiar science, but one in which he alone recognizes the order, and only in glimpses, epiphanies that melt before he can speak or even think them--and the knowledge even this distant self is not his possession but belongs to others weighing and judging the dim and distant light he emits.””

Bruce Holbert

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The passage explores consciousness versus conscience, suggesting awareness of existence is fleeting and shared, with knowledge belonging to others as well.

In simple terms: Consciousness makes us fearful; true awareness is fleeting and communal.

Key Takeaway

Value shared awareness over solitary fear.

Themes

consciousness conscience existence knowledge philosophy

Mood

thoughtful serene

Type

philosophical reflective

When to use this quote

  • personal introspection
  • ethical debates
  • spiritual practice

Key Concepts

psychology ethics metaphysics

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does shared knowledge shape personal identity?
  • What role does conscience play in fear?
A Different Perspective

Understanding can be limited by personal bias and uncertainty.

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