Books Quote by George Bernard Shaw
“To endure the pain of living, we all drug ourselves more or less with gin, with literature, with superstitions, with romance, with idealism, political, sentimental, and moral, with every possible preparation of that universal hashish: imagination.”
About This Quote
Source Play: Man and Superman, 1905
People use various escapes—substances, stories, beliefs—to numb life's hardships, relying on imagination as a universal coping tool.
In simple terms: We numb pain with distractions, especially imagination.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and balance escapism with confronting reality.
Themes
escapism
imagination
coping
human nature
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- daily stress
- creative work
- addiction recovery
- mental health counseling
Key Concepts
psychology
philosophy
literature
Questions to Reflect On
- What does your "universal hashish" look like?
- How can imagination be both a refuge and a trap?
A Different Perspective
Escapism can prevent growth if overused.
