We have educated ourselves into a world from which wonder…
“We have educated ourselves into a world from which wonder, and he fear and dread and splendor and freedom of wonder have been banished. Of course wonder is costly. You couldn't incorporate it into a modern state, beacuse it is the antithesis of the anxiously worshiped security which is what a modern state is asked to give. Wonder is marvellous but it is also cruel, cruel, cruel. It is undemocratic, discriminatory and pitiless.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote argues that modern societies suppress wonder because it threatens the desire for security, making it seem dangerous and undemocratic.
In simple terms: Modern life kills wonder to keep people feeling safe.
Key Takeaway
Protect wonder even when it feels unsafe.
Themes
security
wonder
modernity
freedom
fear
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
social commentary
literary
When to use this quote
- education reform
- public policy
- artistic expression
- personal growth
Key Concepts
existentialism
political critique
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does security limit imagination?
- Can wonder coexist with stability?
A Different Perspective
Wonder can inspire chaos and inequality if unchecked.