What is man that his welfare be considered? An ape who…
“What is man that his welfare be considered? An ape who chatters of kinship with the archangels while he very filthily digs for groundnuts. And yet I perceive that this same man is a maimed God. He is condemned under penalty to measure eternity with an hourglass and infinity with a yardstick and what is more, he very nearly does it.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Human existence is fraught with contradictions: we seek divine purpose while mired in base instincts, measuring eternity with fleeting tools.
In simple terms: Man is both divine and flawed, measuring the infinite with the finite.
Key Takeaway
Embrace humility and wonder about life's paradoxes.
Themes
philosophy
human nature
existentialism
Mood
contemplative
melancholic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- literary analysis
- ethical debates
Key Concepts
dualism
nihilism
spirituality
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile divine aspirations with mundane reality?
- What tools help you measure life's meaning?
A Different Perspective
The view may be overly pessimistic.