“One kind of person is engaged in society without realizing it; another kind engages in society by controlling it. The one is a gear, a cog, and the other an engineer, a driver. But a person who has opted out has only his ability to express his disengagement between his existence and nothingness. Not cogito, but scribo, ergo sum.”

—  John Fowles , book Daniel Martin

Daniel Martin (1977)

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "One kind of person is engaged in society without realizing it; another kind engages in society by controlling it. The o…" by John Fowles?
John Fowles photo
John Fowles 120
British writer 1926–2005

Related quotes

Henri de Saint-Simon photo

“We regard society as the ensemble and union of men engaged in useful work. We can conceive of no other kind of society.”

Henri de Saint-Simon (1760–1825) French early socialist theorist

"Declarations of Principles"

Ambrose Bierce photo

“Cogito cogito ergo cogito sum -- "I think that I think, therefore I think that I am;" as close an approach to certainty as any philosopher has yet made.”

Ambrose Bierce (1842–1914) American editorialist, journalist, short story writer, fabulist, and satirist

The Devil's Dictionary (1911)
Source: The Unabridged Devil's Dictionary
Context: Cartesian, adj. Relating to Descartes, a famous philosopher, author of the celebrated dictum, Cogito ergo sum -- whereby he was pleased to suppose he demonstrated the reality of human existence. The dictum might be improved, however, thus: Cogito cogito ergo cogito sum -- "I think that I think, therefore I think that I am;" as close an approach to certainty as any philosopher has yet made.

“With Descartes the Cogito ergo sum [I think, therefore I am] turns into Cogito ergo res sunt</i”

Étienne Gilson (1884–1978) French historian and philosopher

I think, therefore things are
Methodical Realism

Joseph Lewis photo
Philip K. Dick photo
Jan Theuninck photo

“I do consider my engaged poetry as a personal mission, a duty towards a society which evolves into a system of control of consciences: one even becomes a suspect for not thinking correctly!”

Jan Theuninck (1954) painter, poet

Je considère la poésie engagée comme une mission personnelle, un devoir envers une société où on évolue vers un contrôle des consciences : on devient même suspect de ne pas penser correctement !
As quoted in Letteratour (29 November 2004) http://www.letteratour.it/interviste/H02theunJ01.htm

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe photo

“The person engaged in action is always unconscionable; no one except the contemplative has a conscience.”

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German writer, artist, and politician

Der Handelnde ist immer gewissenlos; es hat niemand Gewissen als der Betrachtende.
Maxim 241, trans. Stopp
Variant translation: The man of action is always unprincipled; none but the contemplative has a conscience
Maxims and Reflections (1833)

Edward Bellamy photo

“The creative artist has an essential role in modern society. By expressing his individual ideas and emotions he adds to the sum of human awareness.”

Lloyd Goodrich (1897–1987) American art historian

'The Artist in American Society' - Colorado Magazine Vol. 15 No 2 Autumn 1966

Richard Bach photo

Related topics