Intellectual despair results in neither weakness nor dreams, but in violence. It is only a matter of knowing how to give vent to one's rage whether one only wants to wander like madmen around prisons, or whether one wants to overturn them.

Summary

This quote suggests that when individuals experience intellectual despair, feelings of hopelessness and frustration do not necessarily lead to weakness or dreams. Instead, such emotions can manifest into violence. The quote highlights the importance of channeling one's anger and frustration in a productive manner, whether it be through peaceful resistance or transformative actions aimed at challenging oppressive systems. The choice lies in how individuals choose to express and act upon their rage: whether their anger leads them to wander aimlessly or motivates them to initiate meaningful change.

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