--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The revolutionary spirit is mighty…" description: "\"The revolutionary spirit is mighty convenient in this, that it frees one from all scruples as regards ideas. Its hard absolute optimism is repulsive to..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a03/joseph-conrad-336_absolutes_the-revolutionary-spirit-is-mighty-conve_1829451.jpg" --- # The revolutionary spirit is mighty convenient in this… ![“The revolutionary spirit is mighty convenient in this, that it frees one from all scruples as regards ideas. Its hard absolute optimism is repulsive to my mind by the menace of fanaticism and intolerance it contains. No doubt one should smile at these things; but, imperfect Esthete, I am no better…” quote by Joseph Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a03/joseph-conrad-336_absolutes_the-revolutionary-spirit-is-mighty-conve_1829451.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a03/joseph-conrad-336_absolutes_the-revolutionary-spirit-is-mighty-conve_1829451.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a03/joseph-conrad-336_absolutes_the-revolutionary-spirit-is-mighty-conve_1829451.jpg) > “The revolutionary spirit is mighty convenient in this, that it frees one from all scruples as regards ideas. Its hard absolute optimism is repulsive to my mind by the menace of fanaticism and intolerance it contains. No doubt one should smile at these things; but, imperfect Esthete, I am no better Philosopher. All claim to special righteousness awakens in me that scorn and anger from which a philosophical mind should be free.” [Joseph Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-conrad/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote warns that revolutionary zeal can discard moral restraints, leading to fanaticism and intolerance, which a rational mind should reject. **In simple terms:** Revolutionary zeal can ignore morals, causing fanaticism. Key Takeaway Beware blind optimism; uphold ethical reflection. Themes politics ethics revolution fanaticism Mood cautious critical Type philosophical political When to use this quote - activism - policy making - social movements - academic debate Key Concepts Moral philosophy political theory Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance passion with moral responsibility? - What safeguards prevent fanaticism? A Different Perspective Blind optimism may foster intolerance and suppress dissent. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Absolutes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absolutes/) [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Fanaticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fanaticism/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Intolerance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intolerance/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Optimism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/optimism/) [Philosopher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosopher/) [Philosophical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophical/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Revolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolution/) [Revolutionary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolutionary/) [Righteousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/righteousness/) [Scruples](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scruples/) [Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit/) ## Related quotes > [“The revolutionary spirit is mighty convenient in this, that it frees one from all scruples as regards ideas. 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