Marriage Quote by Saul Bellow
““He knew what retributions your devils are liable to bring for the way you treat your wife and women or behave while your father is on his deathbed, what you ought to think of your pleasure, of acting like a cockroach; he had the intelligence for the comparison. He had the intelligence to be sublime. But sublimity can't exist only as a special gift of the few, due to an accident of origin, like being born an albino. If it were, what interest would we have in it?””
About This Quote
The passage argues that lofty intellect or sublimity is not an exclusive gift; if it were, its value would diminish, implying that greatness should be accessible rather than rare.
In simple terms: Greatness shouldn't be a rare, privileged trait.
Key Takeaway
Exclusivity reduces the worth of excellence.
Themes
intellect
ethics
human nature
philosophy
Mood
contemplative
critical
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- educational equity debates
- talent development programs
- social mobility discussions
Key Concepts
egalitarianism
value of merit
Practical Applications
- Promote inclusive mentorship
- Design systems that recognize diverse forms of excellence
Questions to Reflect On
- What mechanisms can democratize access to intellectual development?
- Does universal potential risk diluting standards of excellence?
A Different Perspective
May overlook the role of innate aptitude and the difficulty of achieving true sublimity for many.
![“I don't like being away from home. That's one reason why I don't work as much as I used to [when I started my career], because so many things are on the road. I just don't want to be away from my husband, my dogs and my home. I don't sing that much any more because that also takes you on the road.” quote by Jane Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/07c/jane-powell-36243_away_i-don-t-like-being-away-from-home-that-s_278.jpg)
