All time Quote by Milan Kundera
“But then he told himself: What does it really mean to be useful? Today's world, just as it is, contains the sum of the utility of all people of all times. Which implies: The highest morality consists in being useless.”
About This Quote
The passage questions the conventional link between usefulness and moral worth, suggesting that true morality may lie beyond functional contributions.
In simple terms: Morality transcends utility.
Key Takeaway
Uselessness can be morally superior.
Themes
existentialism
ethics
human value
societal norms
meaning of life
Mood
thoughtful
provocative
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- philosophical reflection
- personal crisis
- social critique
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
utility vs. morality
individual purpose
collective humanity
Practical Applications
- writing essays
- teaching ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines moral value beyond productivity?
- Can a society thrive without emphasizing usefulness?
![“I don't know whether we think in moving images or whether we think in still images. I have a suspicion that on our hard drive, our series within our brains, [exist] still photographs of very important moments in our lives. ... That we think in terms of still images and that what the photography is…” quote by Jon Snow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/598/jon-snow-40883_all-time_i-don-t-know-whether-we-think-in-moving_15093.jpg)
