You look into it , the object flies off into air , your…
““You look into it , the object flies off into air , your reasons evaporate , the criminal is not to be found , the wrong becomes not a wrong but a phantom , something like the toothache , for which no one is to blame , and consequently there is only the same outlet left again — that is , to beat the wall as hard as you can . So you give it up with a wave of the hand because you have not found a fundamental cause . And try letting yourself be carried away by your feelings , blindly , without reflection , without a primary cause , repelling consciousness at least for a time ; hate or love , if only not to sit with your hands folded . The day after tomorrow , at the latest , you will begin despising yourself for having knowingly deceived yourself . Result : a soap - bubble and inertia . Oh , gentlemen , do you know , perhaps I consider myself an intelligent man , only because all my life I have been able neither to begin nor to finish anything .””
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 describes how rational analysis collapses under emotional impulse, leading to self‑deception and inertia when causes are elusive.
In simple terms: When logic fails, feelings dominate, causing self‑deception and stagnation.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and confront underlying causes before acting.
Themes
self‑deception
emotional impulse
analysis
inertia
self‑reflection
Mood
conflicted
introspective
Type
philosophical
literary
psychological
When to use this quote
- personal crises
- decision making
- creative blocks
- relationship conflicts
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
human condition
Questions to Reflect On
- What underlying cause are you avoiding?
- How can you balance feeling and reason?
A Different Perspective
Emotions can mask true causes, but ignoring them prevents growth.