Drains Quote by Henry Miller
““The wallpaper with which the men of science have covered the world of reality is falling to tatters. The grand whorehouse which they have made of life requires no decoration. It is essential only that the drains function adequately. Beauty, that feline beauty which has us by the balls in America is finished. To fathom a new reality, it is first necessary to dismantle the drains. To lay open the gangrened ducts which compose the genitourinary system that supplies the excreta of art. The odor of the day is permanganate and formaldehyde. The drains are clogged with strangled embryos.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Sexus, Henry Miller, 1949
A critique of scientific rationalism that hides reality behind sterile structures, urging a radical dismantling of oppressive systems to reveal authentic, messy truth.
In simple terms: Science hides truth; we must break down oppressive structures to see reality.
Key Takeaway
Question and dismantle oppressive frameworks.
Themes
critique
philosophy
art
reality
revolution
Mood
defiant
provocative
critical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- academic discourse
- artistic creation
- political activism
- social critique
Key Concepts
postmodernism
nihilism
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we rebuild after dismantling?
- What alternatives replace the broken systems?
A Different Perspective
Such deconstruction can lead to nihilism or loss of constructive direction.
