Modern times Quote by Milan Kundera
““What does it mean, anyway, to 'retract' what you've said? How can anyone state categorically that a thought he once had is no longer valid? In modern times a thought can be refuted , yes, but not retracted . (p. 179)””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Milan Kundera, 1984
Questioning the possibility of fully revoking a past belief, highlighting the permanence of thought in memory.
In simple terms: Thoughts once held cannot be completely erased.
Key Takeaway
Accept that past ideas shape you, even if you no longer endorse them.
Themes
philosophy
memory
truth
Mood
reflective
introspective
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- intellectual honesty
- debate
- writing
- teaching
Key Concepts
Epistemology
psychology
identity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile past beliefs with current values?
- Can a thought ever be truly undone?
A Different Perspective
Ideas may persist in influence even when rejected.