Disgust Quote by J.M. Coetzee
““We cannot shrink in disgust from our neighbour's touch because his hands, that are clean now, were once dirty. We must cultivate, all of us, a certain ignorance, a certain blindness, or society will not be tolerable.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Disgrace, 1999
Human interaction requires a deliberate unknowingness to avoid being overwhelmed by others' imperfections; a measured ignorance sustains social tolerance.
In simple terms: We must accept some ignorance to live together peacefully.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate selective blindness to maintain societal harmony.
Themes
tolerance
humanity
ignorance
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
social.
When to use this quote
- workplace collaboration
- urban living
- multicultural communities
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
social psychology
ethics
interpersonal relations
Questions to Reflect On
- How much should we ignore to stay tolerant?
- When does ignorance become complicity?
A Different Perspective
Too much ignorance can excuse harmful behavior.
