Human beings Quote by Doris Lessing
““There are people in the world all the time who know" the professor said. "But they keep quiet. They just move about quietly, saving the people who know they are in the trap. And then, for the ones who have got out, it's like coming around from chloroform. They realize that all their lives they've been asleep and dreaming. And then it's their turn to learn the rules and the timing. And they become the ones to live quietly in the world, just as human beings might if there were only a few human beings on a planet that had monkeys on it for inhabitants...””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Unknown (fictional dialogue), 1970s
A professor describes how some people quietly resist oppression, awakening only after a painful revelation, and hints at the rarity of true humanity.
In simple terms: Quiet resistance and awakening after suffering.
Key Takeaway
Recognize hidden resistance and its costs.
Themes
resistance
awakening
humanity
oppression
awak
Mood
thoughtful
somber
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
social
reflective
When to use this quote
- totalitarian regimes
- personal enlightenment
- social movements
Key Concepts
social critique
psychology
philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- What awakens people to oppression?
- How can quiet resistance become visible?
A Different Perspective
May overgeneralize human behavior.
