Intelligence Quote by Hermann Hesse
““And if ever the suspicion of their manifold being dawns upon men of unusual powers and of unusually delicate perceptions, so that, as all genius must, they break through the illusion of the unity of the personality and perceive that the self is made up of a bundle of selves, they have only to say so and at once the majority puts them under lock and key, calls science to aid, establishes schizomania and protects humanity from the necessity of hearing the cry of truth from the lips of these fortunate persons.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Demian, 1919
Geniuses perceive multiple selves and are suppressed by society, which labels them abnormal.
In simple terms: Great minds see many selves, face oppression.
Key Takeaway
Embrace inner complexity.
Themes
identity
conformity
genius
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
psychological
When to use this quote
- artistic creation
- psychological research
- personal growth
Key Concepts
Multiplicity of self
social control
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile inner multiplicity with external expectations?
- What freedoms would emerge if society accepted diverse selves?
A Different Perspective
Societal suppression can stifle healthy self‑exploration.
![“Westereners often think that the East is one vast Buddhist temple, which is rather like thinking the West is one vast Carthusian monastery. If the [Western people who like Buddhism] were to visit the East, he'd certainly experience many new things, but he'd find first, that the food is under lock…” quote by Daniel Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/691/daniel-quinn-1786_buddhism_westereners-often-think-that-the-east-is_269299.jpg)
