Cold shoulder Quote by Teffi
““But do you realize that there is a dreadful force that only saints and crazed fanatics can defeat? This force closes all these doors; it makes man revolt against God, scorn science for its impotence, turn a cold shoulder to art and forget how to love… It makes death, that eternal bogeyman, come to seem welcome and blessed. This force is pain. Torturers the world over have always known this. The fear of death can be overcome by reason and by faith. But only saints and fanatics have been able to conquer the fear of pain.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Reflections on Human Suffering, 1930s
Pain is portrayed as a powerful, almost mythic force that only extreme devotion can overcome, suggesting that confronting suffering requires extraordinary resolve.
In simple terms: Pain is a force that only saints or fanatics can defeat.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate resilience without extreme fanaticism.
Themes
suffering
faith
reason
extremes
human condition
Mood
somber
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- therapy
- religious practice
- philosophical debate
- personal growth
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
spirituality
Questions to Reflect On
- Can ordinary people find balance between reason and faith to face pain?
- What healthier paths exist to confront suffering?
A Different Perspective
Relying on fanaticism can be dangerous and unsustainable.
![“What a noise we'll make among the drab and dull, how we'll...wait, I want more green. I hope I did not imply I only wanted your colors. We can't turn a cold shoulder to green, and blue, and purple, for the sake of all ordered things, hour can you dismiss purple? Call [him] back and tell him off my…” quote by Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/523/shannon-hale-827_blue_what-a-noise-we-ll-make-among-the-drab-a_199100.jpg)
