“We accepted a definition of ourselves which confined the self to the source and to the limitations of conscious attention. This definition is miserably insufficient, for in fact we know how to grow brains and eyes, ears and fingers, hearts and bones, in just the same way that we know how to walk and breathe, talk and think—only we can't put it into words. Words are too slow and too clumsy for describing such things, and conscious attention is too narrow for keeping track of all their details.”

—  Alan Watts

Source: The Book on the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are (1966), p. 112

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 "We accepted a definition of ourselves which confined the self to the source and to the limitations of conscious attenti…" by Alan Watts?
Alan Watts photo
Alan Watts 107
British philosopher, writer and speaker 1915–1973

Related quotes

Chuck Palahniuk photo
Albert Einstein photo
Aron Ra photo
William Jennings Bryan photo

“In this, our land, we are called upon to give but little in return for the advantages which we receive. Shall we give that little grudgingly? Our definition of patriotism is often too narrow.”

William Jennings Bryan (1860–1925) United States Secretary of State

"The Jury System" (February 1890)
Context: In this, our land, we are called upon to give but little in return for the advantages which we receive. Shall we give that little grudgingly? Our definition of patriotism is often too narrow. Shall the lover of his country measure his loyalty only by his service as a soldier? No! Patriotism calls for the faithful and conscientious performance of all of the duties of citizenship, in small matters as well as great, at home as well as upon the tented field.

Georg Büchner photo

“And for tired eyes every light is too bright, and for tired lips every breath too heavy, and for tired ears every word too much.”

Und müden Augen jedes Licht zu scharf, und müden Lippen jeder Hauch zu schwer, Lächelnd. und müden Ohren jedes Wort zu viel.
Act II.
Leonce and Lena (1838)

Bruce Springsteen photo
E. M. S. Namboodiripad photo
Valentino Braitenberg photo

Related topics