Creative person Quote by Walker Percy
““...having only learned to recognize merde when I see it, having inherited no more from my father than a good nose for merde, for every species of shit that flies--my only talent--smelling merde from every quarter, living in fact in the very century of merde, the great shithouse of scientific humanism where needs are satisfied, everyone becomes an anyone, a warm and creative person, and prospers like a dung beetle...””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Moviegoer by Walker Percy, 1961
The narrator sees his unique talent for detecting absurdity in a world saturated with nonsense, likening it to a dung beetle thriving on waste.
In simple terms: He finds value in spotting nonsense in a chaotic world.
Key Takeaway
Embrace your odd talent to navigate absurdity.
Themes
absurdity
human condition
creativity
Mood
cynical
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- daily news
- art criticism
- personal relationships
- career choices
Key Concepts
existentialism
satire
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How does recognizing absurdity help you cope?
- What role does humor play in confronting chaos?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may alienate readers unfamiliar with the vivid language.
![“[The Utopians] marvel that any mortal can take pleasure in the weak sparkle of a little gem or bright pebble, when he has a star, or the sun itself, to look at. They are amazed at the foolishness of any man who considers himself a nobler fellow because he wears clothing of specially fine wool. No…” quote by Sir Thomas More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3c5/sir-thomas-more-36260_death_the-utopians-marvel-that-any-mortal-can_269185.jpg)
![“[In art] you are telling the reader or the listener or the viewer something he already knows but which he doesn't quite know that he knows, so that in the action of communication he experiences a recognition, a feeling that he has been there before, a shock of recognition.” quote by Walker Percy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3f1/walker-percy-1958_action_in-art-you-are-telling-the-reader-or-the_116938.jpg)
