--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I try to deny myself any illusions or…" description: "\"I try to deny myself any illusions or delusions, and I think that this perhaps entitles me to try and deny the same to others, at least as long as they..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecc/christopher-hitchens-117_atheism_i-try-to-deny-myself-any-illusions-or-de_2297282.jpg" --- # I try to deny myself any illusions or delusions, and I… ![“I try to deny myself any illusions or delusions, and I think that this perhaps entitles me to try and deny the same to others, at least as long as they refuse to keep their fantasies to themselves.” quote by Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecc/christopher-hitchens-117_atheism_i-try-to-deny-myself-any-illusions-or-de_2297282.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecc/christopher-hitchens-117_atheism_i-try-to-deny-myself-any-illusions-or-de_2297282.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecc/christopher-hitchens-117_atheism_i-try-to-deny-myself-any-illusions-or-de_2297282.jpg) > “I try to deny myself any illusions or delusions, and I think that this perhaps entitles me to try and deny the same to others, at least as long as they refuse to keep their fantasies to themselves.” [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He argues that rejecting personal fantasies obliges one to challenge others' fantasies when they become public. **In simple terms:** Denying delusions leads to questioning others' fantasies. Key Takeaway Question and challenge public fantasies. Themes skepticism freedom responsibility Mood critical analytical Type philosophical political When to use this quote - political debate - media analysis - personal relationships - public discourse Key Concepts atheism critical thinking social contract Questions to Reflect On - Do you distinguish between private and public fantasies? - When is it appropriate to challenge others' beliefs? A Different Perspective May overlook the value of harmless imagination for mental health. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Atheist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheist/) [Delusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/delusion/) [Fantasy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fantasy/) [Illusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illusion/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [There is no liberation to compare with freeing oneself from the illusions and delusions of the age in which one lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/there-is-no-liberation-to-compare-with-freeing-oneself-from-the/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [Take a good long look at human beings in their actual practices and motives; bring the utmost psychological and bio-economic factors to bear on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/take-a-good-long-look-at-human-beings-in-their-actual-practices-and/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [“I had learned many times that the more you try to get people to deny their illusions, the stronger the illusions can become. 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