--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Today it is not alive. What, then, is…" description: "\"Today it is not alive. What, then, is this experience of humanism? With the above survey I have tried to show you that the experience of humanism is th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e4d/erich-fromm-367_adults_today-it-is-not-alive-what-then-is-this_3221109.jpg" --- # Today it is not alive. What, then, is this experience of… ![“Today it is not alive. What, then, is this experience of humanism? With the above survey I have tried to show you that the experience of humanism is that — as Terence expressed it — “Nothing human is alien to me”; that nothing which exists in any human being does not exist in myself. I am the…” quote by Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e4d/erich-fromm-367_adults_today-it-is-not-alive-what-then-is-this_3221109.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e4d/erich-fromm-367_adults_today-it-is-not-alive-what-then-is-this_3221109.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e4d/erich-fromm-367_adults_today-it-is-not-alive-what-then-is-this_3221109.jpg) > “Today it is not alive. What, then, is this experience of humanism? With the above survey I have tried to show you that the experience of humanism is that — as Terence expressed it — “Nothing human is alien to me”; that nothing which exists in any human being does not exist in myself. I am the criminal and I am the saint. I am the child and I am the adult. I am the man who lived a hundred thousand years ago and I am the man who, provided we don't destroy the human race, will live hundred thousand years from now.” [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Humanism is the deep empathy that dissolves boundaries, seeing all experiences as shared within oneself. **In simple terms:** Seeing all as one shared experience. Key Takeaway Cultivate empathy and recognize shared humanity. Themes empathy humanism identity interconnectedness Mood reflective hopeful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - counseling - conflict resolution - education - community building Key Concepts existentialism psychology philosophy Questions to Reflect On - How do you recognize the humanity in those you disagree with? - What barriers prevent you from feeling shared experience? A Different Perspective Humanism can be challenged by cultural differences and personal biases. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adults](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adults/) [Aliens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aliens/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Criminals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criminals/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Exists Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exists-human-498829/) [Experience Humanism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/experience-humanism-1900932/) [He man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/he-man/) [Human beings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-beings/) [Human race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-race/) [Humanism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanism/) [Humanism Terence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanism-terence-6055685/) [Humanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanity/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Saint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saint/) [Terence Expressed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terence-expressed-6055686/) [Thousand years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thousand-years/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) [Years ago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years-ago/) ## Related quotes > [The experience of humanism is that 'nothing human is alien to me'; that I carry within myself all of humanity; that nothing which exists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-experience-of-humanism-is-that-nothing-human-is-alien-to-me-that/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [“Nothing exists except through human consciousness”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/nothing-exists-except-through-human-consciousness/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [More exists among human beings than can be answered by the simplistic question I'm hit with every day of my life: "Are you a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-feinberg/more-exists-among-human-beings-than-can-be-answered-by-the-simplistic/) [Leslie Feinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-feinberg/) > [“I hope there is life elsewhere in the universe. I don't care about aliens and advanced technology. I just want there to be one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-k-anderson/i-hope-there-is-life-elsewhere-in-the-universe-i-don-t-care-about/) [Jarod K. Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-k-anderson/) > [Reality exists in the human mind, and nowhere else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/reality-exists-in-the-human-mind-and-nowhere-else/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [“Reality exists in the human mind, and nowhere else. Not”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/reality-exists-in-the-human-mind-and-nowhere-else-not/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [Art making comes from the human desire to share something that is universal in one sense, but unique to your sensibility in another. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shepard-fairey/art-making-comes-from-the-human-desire-to-share-something-that-is/) [Shepard Fairey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shepard-fairey/) > [Reality exists in the human mind, and nowhere else. Not in the individual mind, which can make mistakes, and in any case soon perishes:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/reality-exists-in-the-human-mind-and-nowhere-else-not-in-the/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > ['Science in itself' is nothing, for it exists only in the human beings who are its bearers. 'Science for its own sake' usually means…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudolf-virchow/science-in-itself-is-nothing-for-it-exists-only-in-the-human-beings/) [Rudolf Virchow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudolf-virchow/) > [I believe indeed that to rescue the humanist tradition of the last decades is of the utmost importance, and that Victor Serge is one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/i-believe-indeed-that-to-rescue-the-humanist-tradition-of-the-last/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [Can one have love? If we could, love would need to be a thing, a substance that one can have, own, possess. The truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/can-one-have-love-if-we-could-love-would-need-to-be-a-thing-a/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [In the innermost recesses of humanism, as its very soul, there rages a frantic prisoner who, as a Fascist, turns the world into a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-the-innermost-recesses-of-humanism-as-its-very-soul-there-rages-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The same Sermon on the Mount that influenced Tolstoy to write “The Kingdom of God is Within You”, inspired me to a great extent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/the-same-sermon-on-the-mount-that-influenced-tolstoy-to-write-the/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“The representation of women in the society, especially through mass media has been the most delusional act ever done on the grounds of human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/the-representation-of-women-in-the-society-especially-through-mass/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“If attempting to make the world a civilized one, makes you a bad woman in the eyes of the dumb patriarchal society, then, by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/if-attempting-to-make-the-world-a-civilized-one-makes-you-a-bad-woman/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) ## More by Erich Fromm > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [Only when man succeeds in developing his reason and love further than he has done so far, only when he can build a world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/only-when-man-succeeds-in-developing-his-reason-and-love-further-than/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [Freedom does not mean license.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/freedom-does-not-mean-license/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [“It is hardly necessary to stress the fact that the ability to love as an act of giving depends on the character development of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/it-is-hardly-necessary-to-stress-the-fact-that-the-ability-to-love-as/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [The pace of science forces the pace of technique. Theoretical physics forces atomic energy on us; the successful production of the fission bomb forces…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-pace-of-science-forces-the-pace-of-technique-theoretical-physics/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [Exploitation and manipulation produce boredom and triviality; they cripple man, and all factors that make man into a psychic cripple turn him also into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/exploitation-and-manipulation-produce-boredom-and-triviality-they/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [Well-being is possible to the degree to which one has overcome one's narcissism; to the degree to which one is open, responsive, sensitive, awake,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/well-being-is-possible-to-the-degree-to-which-one-has-overcome-one-s/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [“The wealth of data to be found in social and political life. The belief that people do not want to make sacrifices is notoriously…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-wealth-of-data-to-be-found-in-social-and-political-life-the/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [By equality, one once understood equality in the very same sense in which the Bible speaks of equality: that we are all equal, inasmuch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/by-equality-one-once-understood-equality-in-the-very-same-sense-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [“Human beings had two basic orientations: HAVING and BEING HAVING: seeks to acquire, posses things even people BEING: focuses on the experience; exchanging, engaging,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/human-beings-had-two-basic-orientations-having-and-being-having-seeks/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [“Most people are not even aware of their need to conform. They live under the illusion that they follow their own ideas and inclinations,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/most-people-are-not-even-aware-of-their-need-to-conform-they-live/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [Just as modern mass production requires the standardization of commodities, so the social process requires standardization of man, and this standardization is called equality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/just-as-modern-mass-production-requires-the-standardization-of/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [To respect a person is not possible without knowing him; care and responsibility would be blind if they were not guided by knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/to-respect-a-person-is-not-possible-without-knowing-him-care-and/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [Love is an active power in man; a power which breaks through the walls which separate man from his fellow men, which unite him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/love-is-an-active-power-in-man-a-power-which-breaks-through-the-walls/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [“Perhaps most trivial talk is a need to talk about oneself; hence, the never-ending subject of health and sickness, children, travel, successes, what one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/perhaps-most-trivial-talk-is-a-need-to-talk-about-oneself-hence-the/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) [Explore all 558 Erich Fromm quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) ## More Adults quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [Behind every successful child is an adult who believed in him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/behind-every-successful-child-is-an-adult-who-believed-in-him/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [The thing about hitting kids is, think about if you were doing the same thing to another adult. Hitting your kid is really the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/the-thing-about-hitting-kids-is-think-about-if-you-were-doing-the/) [Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/) > [Plainly, the environment must be a living one, directed by a higher intelligence, arranged by an adult who is prepared for his mission.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/plainly-the-environment-must-be-a-living-one-directed-by-a-higher/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [Almost everywhere we find . . . the use of various coercive measures, to rid ourselves as quickly as possible of the child withinus--i.e.,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-miller/almost-everywhere-we-find-the-use-of-various-coercive-measures-to-rid/) [Alice Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-miller/) > [Education, for most people, means trying to lead the child to resemble the typical adult of his society . . . but for me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-piaget/education-for-most-people-means-trying-to-lead-the-child-to-resemble/) [Jean Piaget](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-piaget/) > [I do not believe in public shaming. I do believe that young adults go to college to learn things, and that this process will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-weingarten/i-do-not-believe-in-public-shaming-i-do-believe-that-young-adults-go/) [Gene Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-weingarten/) > [The Role of Deliberate Practice in the Acquisition of Expert Performance”: “The differences between expert performers and normal adults are not immutable, that is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-anders-ericsson/the-role-of-deliberate-practice-in-the-acquisition-of-expert/) [K. Anders Ericsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-anders-ericsson/) > [Part of life is doing stuff that you don't want to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/one-who-does-not-wish-to-be-named/part-of-life-is-doing-stuff-that-you-don-t-want-to-do/) [One Who Does Not Wish To Be Named](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/one-who-does-not-wish-to-be-named/) > [ He \[an earnest young reporter\] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-paterson/he-an-earnest-young-reporter-seemed-to-share-the-view-of-many/) [Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-paterson/) > [Kids, if anything, are harder to write for because they are a more discerning audience. They will not stay with you if you go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/kids-if-anything-are-harder-to-write-for-because-they-are-a-more/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [On the one hand, we had great filmic spectacles that brought in big audiences, adults as well as primary and secondary school students. On…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrzej-wajda/on-the-one-hand-we-had-great-filmic-spectacles-that-brought-in-big/) [Andrzej Wajda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrzej-wajda/) > [It's hard to change adults, and it's hard to change it from a political position or a perceived political position.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/it-s-hard-to-change-adults-and-it-s-hard-to-change-it-from-a/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [When I was a child at sixteen, I was just a child. All sixteen year-olds are just children. As much as we like them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-abagnale/when-i-was-a-child-at-sixteen-i-was-just-a-child-all-sixteen-year/) [Frank Abagnale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-abagnale/) [Browse all 3,113 Adults quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adults/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Today it is not alive. What, then, is this experience of humanism? With the above survey I have tried to show you that the experience of humanism is that — as Terence expressed it — “Nothing human is alien to me”; that nothing which exists in any human being does not exist in myself. I am the criminal and I am the saint. I am the child and I am the adult. 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