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Average person Quote by Sergio De La Pava

“Look, people need to conform the external reality they face daily with this subjective feeling they likewise experience constantly. To do this they have two options. First, they can achieve what passes for great things. Now the external reality matches their feeling; they really are better than…” quote by Sergio De La Pava
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““Look, people need to conform the external reality they face daily with this subjective feeling they likewise experience constantly. To do this they have two options. First, they can achieve what passes for great things. Now the external reality matches their feeling; they really are better than the rest and maybe they'll even be remembered as such. These are the ambitious people, the overachievers. These are also, however, the people who go on these abominable talk shows where they can trade their psychoses for exposure on that box, modernity's ultimate achievement. Not that this tact, being ambitious, is not the preferred course of action. The reason is it's the equivalent of sticking your neck out which we all know is dangerous. Instead many act like they have no ambition whatsoever. Their necks come back in and they're safe. Only problem is now they're at everyone else's level, which we've seen is untenable. The remedy of course is that everyone else needs to be sunk. This helps explain racism's enduring popularity. If I myself don't appear to be markedly superior to everyone else at least I'm part of the better race, country, religion et cetera. This in turn reflects well on my individual worth. There are other options, of course. For example, you can constantly bemoan others' lack of moral worth by extension elevating yourself. Think of the average person's reaction to our clients. Do these people strike you as so truly righteous that they are viscerally pained by our clients' misdeeds or are they similarly flawed people looking for anything to hang their hat on? The latter obviously, they're vermin.””

Sergio De La Pava

About This Quote

The passage examines how people reconcile external reality with internal feelings, describing two paths: ambitious over‑achievers who seek validation through superiority, and those who suppress ambition to avoid risk, leading to social hierarchies and racism.

In simple terms: People either strive for greatness to feel superior or stay safe by blending in, which fuels social divisions.

Key Takeaway

Understand the psychological trade‑off between ambition and safety.

Themes

ambition identity social hierarchy

Mood

thoughtful analytical

Type

philosophical critical

When to use this quote

  • career planning
  • social activism
  • personal development
  • media analysis

Key Concepts

psychology philosophy politics

Questions to Reflect On

  • Why do people choose safety over ambition?
  • How does perceived superiority fuel prejudice?
A Different Perspective

It may oversimplify complex social dynamics into binary choices.

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