Books Quote by Fernando Pessoa
““I feel closer ties and more intimate bonds with certain characters in books, with certain images I’ve seen in engravings, than with many supposedly real people, with that metaphysical absurdity known as “flesh and blood.” In fact “flesh and blood” describes them very well: they resemble cuts of meat laid out on the butcher’s marble slab, dead creatures bleeding as though still alive, the sirloin steaks and cutlets of Fate.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Book of Disquiet by Fernando Pessoa, 1913
The author feels deeper connections to fictional characters and images than to real people, viewing flesh-and-blood humans as lifeless, meat‑like objects.
In simple terms: Fiction feels more alive than real people.
Key Takeaway
Seek meaning in art, not just in reality.
Themes
art
fiction
alienation
existentialism
perception
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- reading novels
- visiting museums
- contemplating art
- discussing literature
- writing personal essays
Key Concepts
subjectivity
metaphor
identity
humanity
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean to feel more alive through fiction?
- How can we balance appreciation for art with genuine human connection?
A Different Perspective
The view may overlook the complexity and empathy possible in real relationships.
