Clever Quote by Gene Wolfe
“Then I could not help wondering what the watching gods thought of us, with our clever masks and our jokes. What we think of crickets, perhaps, whose singing we hear with pleasure, though some of us smash them with our heels when they venture into sight.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Book of the New Sun, Gene Wolfe, 1980
The quote reflects on humanity’s self‑importance and the arbitrary ways we judge other beings, highlighting our tendency to impose meaning while being indifferent to their suffering.
In simple terms: We think we’re clever, but often ignore the impact on others.
Key Takeaway
Recognize humility and empathy toward all life.
Themes
humility
empathy
anthropocentrism
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- environmental activism
- wildlife conservation
- personal introspection
- social critique
Key Concepts
existentialism
ethical reflection
Questions to Reflect On
- How do our “masks” affect our perception of others?
- What responsibilities arise from our ability to observe and act?
A Different Perspective
Our judgments can be blind to the suffering we cause.
![“...in some situations winning consist[s] of disentangling oneself.” quote by Gene Wolfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/66a/gene-wolfe-2530_football_in-some-situations-winning-consist-s-of_219805.jpg)
![“There was another reason [she] took her books whenever they went away. They were her home when she was somewhere strange. They were familiar voices, friends that never quarreled with her, clever, powerful friends -- daring and knowledgeable, tried and tested adventurers who had traveled far and…” quote by Cornelia Funke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/639/cornelia-funke-908_adventurer_there-was-another-reason-she-took-her-bo_3074.jpg)
