Children Quote by Fernando Pessoa
“I had the same sensation as when we watch someone sleep. When asleep we all become children again. Perhaps because in the state of slumber we can do no wrong and are unconscious of life, the greatest criminal and most self- absorbed egotist are holy, by a natural magic, as long as they're sleeping. For me there's no discernible difference between killing a child and killing a sleeping man.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Book of Disquiet”, 1913
In sleep, innocence and moral ambiguity blur, making killing a child feel no different than killing a sleeping adult.
In simple terms: Sleep erases moral distinctions between actions.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how unconscious states affect moral perception.
Themes
morality
sleep
innocence
identity
Mood
thought‑provoking
melancholic
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- dream analysis
- ethical debates
- literary critique
Key Concepts
philosophy
ethics
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- Does unconsciousness excuse harmful actions?
- How do we assign responsibility to those unaware?
A Different Perspective
Moral judgments shift when consciousness is absent.
