Nature of man Quote by Verlyn Klinkenborg
““How these humans dispose themselves! Unlike anything else in creation. Or rather like everything else in creation all at once. Legs of one beast. Arms of another. Proportions all awry to a tortoise's eye. Torso too squat. Too little neck. Vastly too much leg. Hands like creatures unto themselves. Senses delicately balanced. And yet each sense dulled by mental acuity. Reason in place of a good nose. Logic instead of a tail. Faith instead of the certain knowledge of instinct. Superstition instead of a shell.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Human Condition, Verlyn Klinkenborg, 2015
The quote highlights humanity’s physical and sensory imperfections, suggesting our intellect replaces natural instincts, leading to a disconnect from innate wisdom.
In simple terms: Humans are oddly built and overthink, losing natural instinct.
Key Takeaway
Embrace intuition alongside reason.
Themes
human nature
imperfection
reason vs instinct
identity
self-awareness
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal decision
- creative writing
- education
- mental health counseling
Key Concepts
cognitive dissonance
embodiment
philosophical anthropology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance rational thought with gut feeling?
- What instincts have we suppressed in modern life?
A Different Perspective
Relying solely on intellect can ignore valuable instinctual cues.
