Arms Quote by James Joyce
“I will tell you what I will do and what I will not do. I will not serve that in which I no longer believe, whether it calls itself my home, my fatherland, or my church: and I will try to express myself in some mode of life or art as freely as I can and as wholly as I can, using for my defense the only arms I allow myself to use -- silence, exile, and cunning.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, 1916
The speaker declares a personal commitment to act only according to his conscience, rejecting institutions he no longer believes in, and chooses silence, exile, and cunning as his tools of resistance.
In simple terms: He will only act when he believes in it, using silence, exile, and cunning as defense.
Key Takeaway
Live authentically, reject false loyalties.
Themes
integrity
rebellion
personal freedom
Mood
defiant
reflective
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political protest
- artistic expression
- personal decision making
- ethical dilemmas
Key Concepts
conscience
autonomy
nonconformity
Questions to Reflect On
- What beliefs are you holding onto that conflict with your actions?
- How can you balance personal integrity with societal responsibilities?
A Different Perspective
Silence and exile may limit influence and effectiveness.
