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I know what science this has come to be. All rights and…

“I know what science this has come to be. All rights and laws are still transmitted Like an eternal sickness of the race,— From generation unto generation fitted, And shifted round from place to place. Reason becomes a sham, Beneficence a worry: Thou art a grandchild, therefore woe to thee! The…” quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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““I know what science this has come to be. All rights and laws are still transmitted Like an eternal sickness of the race,— From generation unto generation fitted, And shifted round from place to place. Reason becomes a sham, Beneficence a worry: Thou art a grandchild, therefore woe to thee! The right born with us, ours in verity,””

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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 critiques how societal norms and laws are inherited and distorted over generations, turning reason into pretense and kindness into anxiety, suggesting a cursed lineage of false rights.

In simple terms: Inherited laws become corrupted, making reason false and kindness a concern.

Key Takeaway

Question inherited norms, seek authentic reason and compassion.

Themes

inheritance law reason morality generational trauma

Mood

reflective critical somber

Type

philosophical ethical social commentary

When to use this quote

  • family upbringing
  • legal reforms
  • education curricula
  • cultural traditions
  • political policy

Key Concepts

philosophy social critique ethical decay

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you recognize authentic reason in your life?
  • What can break the cycle of inherited falsehoods?
A Different Perspective

The view may overlook individuals who resist or transform these patterns.

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