--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: One's existence should be in two parts…" description: "\"One's existence should be in two parts: one should live like a bourgeois and think like a demigod.\" — Gustave Flaubert" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a5/gustave-flaubert-354_bourgeois_one-s-existence-should-be-in-two-parts-o_69146.jpg" --- # One's existence should be in two parts: one should live… ![“One's existence should be in two parts: one should live like a bourgeois and think like a demigod.” quote by Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a5/gustave-flaubert-354_bourgeois_one-s-existence-should-be-in-two-parts-o_69146.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a5/gustave-flaubert-354_bourgeois_one-s-existence-should-be-in-two-parts-o_69146.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a5/gustave-flaubert-354_bourgeois_one-s-existence-should-be-in-two-parts-o_69146.jpg) > “One's existence should be in two parts: one should live like a bourgeois and think like a demigod.” [Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Advocates a dual lifestyle: material comfort with lofty, transcendent thought. **In simple terms:** Balance comfort and ambition. Key Takeaway Live well, think higher. Themes dualism philosophy of life social critique aspiration Mood inspirational thoughtful Type aphorism philosophical When to use this quote - career advancement - personal development - creative pursuits - social mobility Key Concepts bourgeoisie demigod mindset existential balance Practical Applications - self‑improvement coaching - motivational writing Questions to Reflect On - How can you enjoy comfort without compromising ambition? - What habits nurture both material and intellectual growth? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bourgeois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bourgeois/) [Bourgeois Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bourgeois-think-913938/) [Demigods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/demigods/) [Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence/) [Existence Parts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence-parts-913941/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Like Bourgeois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-bourgeois-913939/) [Like Demigod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-demigod-913940/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Two](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two/) ## Related quotes > [The audience will make you feel like a demigod. But when you leave the stage, get back to being human.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-coverdale/the-audience-will-make-you-feel-like-a-demigod-but-when-you-leave-the/) [David Coverdale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-coverdale/) > [I don't hold myself dictated to by what everyone is saying, by the tabloids or popular opinion. I don't like bourgeois values. I say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-salter/i-don-t-hold-myself-dictated-to-by-what-everyone-is-saying-by-the/) [James Salter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-salter/) > [For every bourgeois, in the heat of youth, if only for a day, for a minute, has believed himself capable of immense passions, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/for-every-bourgeois-in-the-heat-of-youth-if-only-for-a-day-for-a/) [Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) > [Axiome: la haine du bourgeois est le commencement de la vertu. Axiom: Hatred of the bourgeois is the beginning of wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/axiome-la-haine-du-bourgeois-est-le-commencement-de-la-vertu-axiom/) [Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) > [“In spite of her giddy airs (the phrase used by the bourgeois wives of Yonville), Emma still had a joyless look, and, habitually, at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/in-spite-of-her-giddy-airs-the-phrase-used-by-the-bourgeois-wives-of/) [Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) > [Be orderly and disciplined in daily life, like a good bourgeois, so that I might be wild and violent in my art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/be-orderly-and-disciplined-in-daily-life-like-a-good-bourgeois-so/) [Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) > [The whole dream of democracy is to raise the proletarian to the level of stupidity attained by the bourgeois.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/the-whole-dream-of-democracy-is-to-raise-the-proletarian-to-the-level/) [Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) > [ Aphrodite,” \[Annabeth\] said. “Venus?” Hazel asked in amazement. “Mom,” Piper said with no enthusiasm. “Girls!” The goddess spread her arms like she wanted a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/aphrodite-annabeth-said-venus-hazel-asked-in-amazement-mom-piper-said/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [We moderns do not believe in demigods, but our smallest hero we expect to feel and act as a demigod.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/we-moderns-do-not-believe-in-demigods-but-our-smallest-hero-we-expect/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [That's what being a demigod was all about, not quite belonging in the mortal world or on Mount Olympus but trying to make peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/that-s-what-being-a-demigod-was-all-about-not-quite-belonging-in-the/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [I am sorry they began their deliberations by so abominable a precedent as that of tying up the tongues of their members. Nothing can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-am-sorry-they-began-their-deliberations-by-so-abominable-a/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Images flashed through his mind. He saw Nico and his sister on a snowy mountain cliff in Maine, Percy Jackson protecting them from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/images-flashed-through-his-mind-he-saw-nico-and-his-sister-on-a-snowy/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [I was flying right toward him (the pig) at the speed of demigod-smashing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/i-was-flying-right-toward-him-the-pig-at-the-speed-of-demigod-smashing/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [The impression that you are a demigod worried me. I wanted to be like an ordinary human being with virtues and vices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-mandela/the-impression-that-you-are-a-demigod-worried-me-i-wanted-to-be-like/) [Nelson Mandela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-mandela/) > [To reveal imprudently the spot where we are most sensitive and vulnerable is to invite a blow. The demigod Achilles admitted no one to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-swetchine/to-reveal-imprudently-the-spot-where-we-are-most-sensitive-and/) [Sophie Swetchine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-swetchine/) ## More by Gustave Flaubert > [As for the piano, the faster her fingers flew over it, the more he marveled. She struck the keys with aplomb and ran from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/as-for-the-piano-the-faster-her-fingers-flew-over-it-the-more-he/) [Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) > [Caught up in life, you see it badly. You suffer from it or enjoy it too much. The artist, in my opinion, is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/caught-up-in-life-you-see-it-badly-you-suffer-from-it-or-enjoy-it-too/) [Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) > [“When one does something, one must do it wholly and well. Those bastard existences where you sell suet all day and write poetry at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/when-one-does-something-one-must-do-it-wholly-and-well-those-bastard/) [Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) > [Isn’t ‘not to be bored’ one of the principal goals of life?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/isn-t-not-to-be-bored-one-of-the-principal-goals-of-life/) [Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) > [Love is a springtime plant that perfumes everything with its hope, even the ruins to which it clings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/love-is-a-springtime-plant-that-perfumes-everything-with-its-hope/) [Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) > [“But her life was as cold as an attic facing north; and boredom, like a silent spider, was weaving its web in the shadows,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/but-her-life-was-as-cold-as-an-attic-facing-north-and-boredom-like-a/) [Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) > [When you reduce a woman to writing, she makes you think of a thousand other women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/when-you-reduce-a-woman-to-writing-she-makes-you-think-of-a-thousand/) [Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) > [Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/travel-makes-one-modest-you-see-what-a-tiny-place-you-occupy-in-the/) [Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) > [“We must not touch our idols; the gilt sticks to our fingers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/we-must-not-touch-our-idols-the-gilt-sticks-to-our-fingers/) [Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) > [A superhuman will is needed in order to write, and I am only a man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/a-superhuman-will-is-needed-in-order-to-write-and-i-am-only-a-man/) [Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) > [The writer must wade into life as into the sea, but only up to the navel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/the-writer-must-wade-into-life-as-into-the-sea-but-only-up-to-the/) [Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) > [COLD. Healthier than heat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/cold-healthier-than-heat/) [Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) > [And indeed, what is better than to sit by one's fireside in the evening with a book, while the wind beats against the window…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/and-indeed-what-is-better-than-to-sit-by-one-s-fireside-in-the/) [Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) > [Emma was no asleep, she was pretending to be asleep; and, while he was dozing off at her side, she lay awake, dreaming other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/emma-was-no-asleep-she-was-pretending-to-be-asleep-and-while-he-was/) [Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) > [Maybe happiness too is a metaphor invented on a day of boredom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/maybe-happiness-too-is-a-metaphor-invented-on-a-day-of-boredom/) [Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) [Explore all 526 Gustave Flaubert quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) ## More Bourgeois quotes > [“Economists have a singular method of procedure. There are only two kinds of institutions for them, artificial and natural. 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Even great women artists, like Louise Bourgeois and Lee…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siri-hustvedt/with-almost-no-exceptions-art-by-men-is-much-more-expensive-than-art/) [Siri Hustvedt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siri-hustvedt/) > [The bourgeois thinkers of the eighteenth century thus turned Aristotle's formula on its head: satisfactions which the Greek philosopher had identified with leisure were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alain-de-botton/the-bourgeois-thinkers-of-the-eighteenth-century-thus-turned/) [Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-de-botton/) > [Where there is no danger of overt action there is rarely any interference with freedom. That is why there has so often been amazing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/where-there-is-no-danger-of-overt-action-there-is-rarely-any/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [Advancing bourgeois society liquidates memory, time, recollection as irrational leftovers of the past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodor-adorno/advancing-bourgeois-society-liquidates-memory-time-recollection-as/) [Theodor Adorno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodor-adorno/) > [ Avant-garde theatre, with its distrust of the individual (that bourgeois invention), tends to go beyond \[character\] and the psychological approach in search of a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrice-pavis/avant-garde-theatre-with-its-distrust-of-the-individual-that/) [Patrice Pavis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrice-pavis/) > [I think of myself as being a bit of a wimp deep down - a bourgeois wimp - and I'm fighting that. 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A bad poem on springtime, filled to bursting with metaphors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-benjamin/for-what-is-the-program-of-the-bourgeois-parties-a-bad-poem-on/) [Walter Benjamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-benjamin/) > [What have we achieved since the end of the Second World War? We have allowed petty, bourgeois regimes in which everything is average, mediocre.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahar-ben-jelloun/what-have-we-achieved-since-the-end-of-the-second-world-war-we-have/) [Tahar Ben Jelloun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahar-ben-jelloun/) > [“The bourgeois novel is the greatest enemy of truth and honesty that was ever invented.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-g-ballard-2/the-bourgeois-novel-is-the-greatest-enemy-of-truth-and-honesty-that/) [J.G. Ballard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-g-ballard-2/) [Browse all 304 Bourgeois quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bourgeois/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "One's existence should be in two parts: one should live like a bourgeois and think like a demigod.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gustave Flaubert" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/one-s-existence-should-be-in-two-parts-one-should-live-like-a/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bourgeois" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/one-s-existence-should-be-in-two-parts-one-should-live-like-a/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a5/gustave-flaubert-354_bourgeois_one-s-existence-should-be-in-two-parts-o_69146.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a5/gustave-flaubert-354_bourgeois_one-s-existence-should-be-in-two-parts-o_69146.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a5/gustave-flaubert-354_bourgeois_one-s-existence-should-be-in-two-parts-o_69146.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“One's existence should be in two parts: one should live like a bourgeois and think like a demigod.” — Gustave Flaubert", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Gustave Flaubert", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "One's existence should be in two...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/one-s-existence-should-be-in-two-parts-one-should-live-like-a/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/one-s-existence-should-be-in-two-parts-one-should-live-like-a/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```