It goes against the grain for me to do what so often…
“It goes against the grain for me to do what so often happens, to speak inhumanly about the great as if a few millennia were an immense distance. I prefer to speak humanly about it, as if it happened yesterday, and let only the greatness itself be the distance.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Kierkegaard argues that we should discuss profound ideas in relatable, immediate terms rather than distant, abstract language, making the great feel present and personal.
In simple terms: Talk about big ideas as if they happened yesterday.
Key Takeaway
Make timeless concepts feel immediate.
Themes
philosophy
communication
humanism
Mood
thoughtful
introspective
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- teaching
- public speaking
- writing
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
existentialism
temporal perspective
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you make complex ideas feel personal?
- What benefits arise from treating history as present?
A Different Perspective
Abstract language can still alienate some audiences.