Existentialism Quote by Søren Kierkegaard
““It is the thought, not the incidentals of expression, that essentially makes an exposition unpopular. A systematic ribbon and button maker can become unpopular but essentially is not at all, inasmuch as he does not mean much by the very odd things he says (alas, and this is a popular art!). Socrates, on the other hand, was the most unpopular in Greece because he said the same thing as the simplest person but meant infinitely much by it. To be able to stick to one thing, to stick to it with ethical passion and undauntedness of spirit, to see the intrinsic duplexity of this one thought with the same impartiality, and at one and the same time to see the most profound earnestness and the greatest jest, the deepest tragedy and highest comedy―this is unpopular in any age for anyone who has not realized that immediacy is over. But neither can what is essentially unpopular be learned by rote. More on that later.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Either/Or, Søren Kierkegaard, 1843
Unpopularity stems from presenting deep ideas in simple terms, demanding ethical passion and balanced perspective.
In simple terms: Deep ideas can be simple yet unpopular.
Key Takeaway
Seek depth with humility.
Themes
unpopularity
ethics
duality
Mood
introspective
serious
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- public speaking
- teaching
- writing
- leadership
Key Concepts
Existentialism
communication
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance clarity and depth?
- When is it worth being unpopular?
A Different Perspective
Simplifying may risk losing nuance.
