Home / Quotes / Quote by Georg Simmel

Quote by Georg Simmel

“Our fellowman either may voluntarily reveal to us the truth about himself, or by dissimulation he may deceive us as to the truth. No other object of knowledge can thus of its own initiative, either enlighten us with reference to itself or conceal itself, as a human being can. No other knowable object modifies its conduct from consideration of its being understood or misunderstood.”

Book:The Sociology of Secrecy and of Secret Societies

Work

The Sociology of Secrecy and of Secret Societies

This book delves into the study of secrecy in society, examining the nature of secret societies and their impact on social dynamics. It analyzes the reasons behind the formation of such groups, their structures, and the roles they play in various societies throughout history. more

Author

Georg Simmel

German philosopher and sociologist, born on March 1, 1858, and died on September 28, 1918. Georg Simmel is renowned for his significant contributions to sociological theory, particularly in the areas of social structure, social interaction, and urban life. more

“Do not make passion an argument for truth! - O you good-natured and even noble enthusiasts, I know you! You want to win your argument against us, but also against yourself, and above all against yourself!and a subtle and tender bad conscience so often incites you against your enthusiasm! How ingenious you then become in the outwitting and deadening of this conscience! How you hate the honest, the simple, the pure, how you avoid their innocent eyes! That knowing better whose representatives they are and whose voice you hear all too loudly within you, how it casts doubt on your belief- how you seek to make it suspect as a bad habit, as a sickness of the age, as neglect and infection of your own spiritual health! You drive yourself to the point of hating criticism, science, reason! You have to falsify history so that it may bear witness for you, you have to deny virtues so that they shall not cast into the shade those of your idols and ideals! Coloured pictures where what is needed is rational grounds! Ardour and power of expression! Silvery mists! Ambrosial nights! You understand how to illuminate and how to obscure, and how to obscure with light! And truly, when your passion rises to the point of frenzy, there comes a moment when you say to yourself: now I have conquered the good conscience, now I am light of heart, courageous, self-denying, magnificent, now I am honest! How you thirst for those moments when your passion bestows on you perfect self-justification and as it were innocence; when in struggle, intoxication, courage, hope, you are beside yourself and beyond all doubting; when you decree: 'he who is not beside himself as we are can in no way know what and where truth is!' How you thirst to discover people of your belief in this condition - it is that of intellectual vice - and ignite your flame at their torch! Oh your deplorable martyrdom! Oh your deplorable victory of the sanctified lie! Must you inflict so much suffering upon yourself? - Must you?”

Truth Passion Intolerance Narcissism Self Delusion Dissimulation

Book:Daybreak: Thoughts on the Prejudices of Morality

Source: Daybreak: Thoughts on the Prejudices of Morality

“Remember that power is not only what you have but what the enemy thinks you have”

Power Power Quotes Power Of Thoughts Dissimulation

Book:Book of Wisdom

Source: Book of Wisdom

“Dissimulation is not fraud. It is an effort not to show things as they are. And it is a difficult effort: when we excel, others must not recognize our excellence. If someone were to become famous for his ability to disguise himself, as actors do, all would know that he is what he pretends to be. But concerning the true, excellent dissimulators, who have existed and exist still, we have no information.”

Disguise Dissimulation

Book:The Island of the Day Before

Source: The Island of the Day Before