Art of life Quote by Octavia E. Butler
““Is any of this real? Dangerous question. Sometimes I don’t know the answer. I doubt myself. I doubt what I think I know. I try to forget about it. After all, if it’s real, why doesn’t anyone else know about it. Every one knows that change is inevitable. From the second law of thermodynamics to Darwinian evolution, from Buddhism’s insistence that nothing is permanent and all suffering results from our delusions of permanence to the third chapter of Ecclesiastes (“To everything there is a season”), change is part of life, of existence, of the common wisdom. But I don’t believe we’re dealing with all that that means. We haven’t even begun to deal with it.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler, 1993
The speaker questions reality and doubts knowledge, yet acknowledges that change is inevitable and universal, though we may not fully grasp its implications.
In simple terms: Doubt about reality versus inevitable change.
Key Takeaway
Embrace uncertainty and seek understanding.
Themes
philosophy
existentialism
change
knowledge
uncertainty
Mood
contemplative
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- Personal introspection
- academic study
- spiritual practice
- creative writing
Key Concepts
Epistemology
impermanence
thermodynamics
evolution
Buddhist thought
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile personal doubt with universal truths?
- What does “real” mean to you?
A Different Perspective
Change is constant but our perception of it can be limited.
