8 April 1891 The obscenity of nostrils and mouths; the…
““8 April 1891 The obscenity of nostrils and mouths; the ignominious cupidity of smiles and women encountered in the street; the shifty baseness on every side, as of hyenas and wild beasts ready to bite: tradesmen in their shops and strollers on their pavements. How long must I suffer this? I have suffered it before, as a child, when, descending by chance to the servant's quarters, I overheard in astonishment their vile gossip, tearing up my own kind with their lovely teeth. This hostility to the entire race, this muted detestation of lynxes in human form, I must have rediscovered it later while at school. I had a repugnance and horror for all base instincts, but am I not myself instinctively violent and lewd, murderous and sensual? Am I any different, in essence, from the members of the riotous and murderous mob of a hundred years ago, who hurled the town sergeants into the Seine and cried, 'String up the aristos!' just as they shout 'Down with the army!' or 'Death to the Jews!””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The narrator despises the vulgarity and cruelty observed in society, yet recognizes his own violent instincts, questioning moral difference between himself and the mob.
In simple terms: He sees society as corrupt and feels his own nature mirrors it.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge personal flaws while critiquing societal vice.
Themes
morality
self‑reflection
societal critique
human nature
Mood
cynical
introspective
melancholic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- urban life
- personal introspection
- ethical debates
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
social decay
Questions to Reflect On
- Do I judge others more harshly than myself?
- How does recognizing my own flaws change my view of society?
A Different Perspective
The passage may romanticize self‑pity, overlooking systemic causes of cruelty.