Absurdity Quote by Ernest Becker
““The great boon of repression is that it makes it possible to live decisively in an overwhelmingly miraculous and incomprehensible world, a world so full of beauty, majesty, and terror that if animals perceived it all they would be paralyzed to act. ... What would the average man (sic) do with a full consciousness of absurdity? He has fashioned his character for the precise purpose of putting it between himself and the facts of life; it is his special tour-de-force that allows him to ignore incongruities, to nourish himself on impossibilities, to thrive on blindness. He accomplishes thereby a peculiarly human victory: the ability to be smug about terror.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Denial of Death, 1973
Repression lets us act decisively despite life's absurdity, shielding us from paralysis.
In simple terms: Repression helps us act in a chaotic world.
Key Takeaway
Use selective focus to navigate absurdity.
Themes
existentialism
psychology
humanism
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- art creation
- philosophical debate
- personal crisis
- creative problem solving
Key Concepts
absurdity
defense mechanisms
meaning-making
Questions to Reflect On
- What truths do you ignore to function?
- Can confronting absurdity improve authenticity?
A Different Perspective
Over‑reliance on repression can blind us to reality.
