Quote by Hermann Hesse

For there is not a single human being, not even the primitive Negro, not even the idiot, who is so conveniently simple that his being can be explained as the sum of two or three principal elements; and to explain so complex a man as Harry by the artless division into wolf and man is a hopelessly childish attempt. Harry consists of a hundred or a thousand selves, not of two. His life oscillates, as everyone's does, not merely between two poles, such as the body and the spirit, the saint and the sinner, but between thousand and thousands.

For there is not a single human being, not even the primitiv

Summary

This quote highlights the complexity of human nature, emphasizing that it cannot be reduced to simplistic categorizations. It argues against the idea that individuals can be easily understood by dividing them into a few distinct elements. Instead, it suggests that each person is composed of numerous and ever-changing aspects or "selves." The quote portrays Harry as a representative example, stating that his life oscillates between innumerable variations rather than just two polar opposites. In essence, it conveys that humans are multifaceted beings with a multitude of identities, experiences, and perspectives.

Topics

Truth Spirituality Philosophy Soul Human Nature

By Hermann Hesse

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