You told me," he said, "that you love music because it…
““You told me," he said, "that you love music because it isamoral. That's all right with me. But in that case you can't allow yourself to be a moralist either. You can't compare yourself with others: if Nature has made you a bat you shouldn't try to be an ostrich. You consider yourself odd at times, you accuse yourself of taking a road different from most people. You have to unlearn that. Gaze into the fire, into the clouds, and as soon as the inner voices begin to speak, surrender to them, don't ask first whether it's permitted or would please your teachers or father, or some god. You will ruin yourself if you do that. That way you will become earthbound, a vegetable.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Moral freedom requires abandoning imposed standards, embracing inner voice, and rejecting comparison to others; otherwise one becomes stagnant.
In simple terms: Be true to inner self, not external morals.
Key Takeaway
Listen to inner voice, reject imposed morals.
Themes
freedom
authenticity
self-discovery
morality
Mood
contemplative
inspirational
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- creative work
- personal growth
- ethical decision making
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
spirituality
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance inner truth with social responsibility?
- When is it okay to break moral norms?
A Different Perspective
Risk of moral relativism leading to harmful actions.