Hope Quote by Iris Murdoch
““Human beings crave for novelty and welcome even wars. Who opens the morning papers without the wild hope of huge headlines announcing another great disaster? Provided of course that it affects other people and not oneself. Rupert liked order. But there is no man who likes order who does not give houseroom to a man who dreams of disorder. The sudden wrecking of the accustomed scenery, so long as one can be fairly sure of a ringside seat, stimulates the bloodstream. And the instinctive need to feel protected and superior ensures, for most of the catastrophes of mankind, the shedding by those not immediately involved of but the most crocodile of tears.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Sea, the Sea by Iris Murdoch, 1978
People are drawn to dramatic events, especially when they affect others, because chaos feels thrilling while safety feels dull.
In simple terms: People enjoy drama about others more than their own.
Key Takeaway
Seek balance between curiosity and compassion.
Themes
novelty
human nature
spectatorship
disaster fascination
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
analytical
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- news consumption
- political discourse
- social media
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
psychology
media influence
empathy
order vs chaos
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we crave distant drama?
- How can we cultivate empathy for those directly affected?
A Different Perspective
The appeal of chaos can desensitize us to real suffering.
