Modern man Quote by R.D. Laing
““We have all been processed on Procrustean beds. At least some of us have managed to hate what they have made of us. Inevitably we see the other as the reflection of the occasion of our own self-division. The others have become installed in our hearts, and we call them ourselves. Each person, not being himself either to himself or the other, just as the other is not himself to himself or to us, in being another for another neither recognizes himself in the other, nor the other in himself. Hence being at least a double absence, haunted by the ghost of his own murdered self, no wonder modern man is addicted to other persons, and the more addicted, the less satisfied, the more lonely.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Divided Self, R.D. Laing, 1960
Modern individuals are fragmented, projecting parts of themselves onto others, leading to addiction to relationships yet persistent loneliness.
In simple terms: People split selves, seek others, feel lonely.
Key Takeaway
Recognize inner division, seek authentic self‑connection.
Themes
identity
loneliness
relationships
self
fragmentation
Mood
reflective
melancholic
introspective
Type
philosophical
psychological
literary
When to use this quote
- therapy sessions
- personal growth
- relationship counseling
- social media use
- community building
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
self‑other dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your self‑image affect your relationships?
- Can you identify parts of yourself you project onto others?
A Different Perspective
Self‑division can be reinforced by external expectations, limiting true self‑knowledge.
