Skip to content

Carbon dioxide Quote by J.M.G. Le Clézio

“Thinking! Thinking! The process should no longer be merely this feeble flurry of hailstones that raises a little dust. It should be something quite different. Thinking should be a terrifying process. When the earth thinks, whole towns crumble to the ground and thousands of people die. Thinking…” quote by J.M.G. Le Clézio
Download Open image
““Thinking! Thinking! The process should no longer be merely this feeble flurry of hailstones that raises a little dust. It should be something quite different. Thinking should be a terrifying process. When the earth thinks, whole towns crumble to the ground and thousands of people die. Thinking: raising boulders, hollowing out valleys, preparing tidal waves at sea. Thinking like a town: that's to say: eight million inhabitants, twelve million rats, nine million pints of carbon dioxide, two billion tons. Grey light. Cathedral of light. Din. Sudden flashes. Low-lying blanket of black cloud. Flat roofs. Fire alarms. Elevators. Streets. Eighteen thousand miles of streets. 145 million electric light bulbs.””

J.M.G. Le Clézio

About This Quote

Source Novel: The Flood, 1995

Thinking should be a powerful, disruptive force that reshapes reality, not a gentle, trivial activity.

In simple terms: Thinking can change the world dramatically.

Key Takeaway

Embrace bold, transformative thinking.

Themes

creativity disruption power

Mood

provocative intense

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • innovation
  • policy making
  • social movements
  • personal growth

Key Concepts

philosophy psychology systems theory

Questions to Reflect On

  • What risks do you accept when thinking big?
  • How can you channel disruptive ideas responsibly?
A Different Perspective

Extreme thinking can cause fear, paralysis, or unintended harm.

2.9 out of 5 (6 ratings)

More by J.M.G. Le Clézio

Explore all 23 J.M.G. Le Clézio quotes

More Carbon dioxide quotes

Browse all 263 Carbon dioxide quotes