Family Quote by Jenny Holzer
““Destroy superabundance. Starve the flesh, shave the hair, clarify the mind, define the will, restrain the senses, leave the family, flee the church, kill the vermin,vomit the heart, forget the dead. Limit time, forgo amusement, deny nature, reject acquaintances, discard objects, forget truths, dissect myth, stop motion, block impulse, choke sobs, swallow chatter. Scorn joy, scorn touch, scorn tragedy, scorn liberty, scorn constancy, scorn hope, scorn exaltation, scorn reproduction, scorn variety, scorn embellishment, scorn release, scorn rest, scorn sweetness, scorn light. It's a question of form as much as function. It is a matter of revulsion.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public Art Installation, “Cautionary Statements”, 2005
A radical call to reject material comforts and social ties, urging extreme self‑denial to achieve a purer, disciplined existence.
In simple terms: Reject excess, embrace austerity.
Key Takeaway
Question your attachments.
Themes
asceticism
rebellion
nihilism
Mood
provocative
critical
intense
Type
political
philosophical
artistic
When to use this quote
- personal meditation
- political protest
- performance art
- social critique
Key Concepts
detachment
self‑control
anti‑consumerism
Questions to Reflect On
- What attachments truly limit you?
- Can austerity be balanced with compassion?
A Different Perspective
Extreme denial can harm well‑being and relationships.
