Famous quote by Graham Greene

"Point me out the happy man and I will point you out either egotism, selfishness, evil - or else an absolute ignorance"

About this Quote

Graham Greene's quote, "Point me out the happy guy and I will point you out either egotism, selfishness, evil - or else an outright lack of knowledge", uses a negative view on the nature of happiness and the qualities of those who experience it. Greene seems to recommend that real joy is evasive or perhaps unattainable under regular human conditions. He indicates that if somebody appears truly happy, it may be due to unfavorable traits or an absence of awareness.

To start with, the mention of "egotism" and "selfishness" shows that Greene perceives people who are content as being self-centered or placing their own requirements and desires above others. From this viewpoint, happiness becomes a by-product of focusing on oneself, potentially at the expenditure of others' wellness. Such an individual may achieve fulfillment, but it's driven by a narrow, self-focused lens rather than a communal or selfless technique to life.

Second of all, the addition of "wicked" recommends that Greene sees joy as potentially coming from immoral or dishonest habits. In this sense, people who find joy may do so through actions that hurt or make use of others, discovering enjoyment or comfort in methods that society at big considers incorrect or malevolent. This concept resonates with the concept that in a world rife with suffering and inequality, contentment might develop from gaining from these systems of injustice.

Finally, Greene's recommendation to "absolute lack of knowledge" indicates that a lack of awareness or understanding shields people from life's harsh truths, allowing them to remain blissfully unaware. This lack of knowledge might be situational-- where people are uninformed of the suffering around them-- or existential, where they are unable or reluctant to face life's intrinsic difficulties and complexities.

Overall, Greene's quote provocatively challenges the reader to reevaluate the sources and authenticity of joy, framing it as potentially rooted in unwanted or shallow qualities instead of genuine, virtuous satisfaction.

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About the Author

United Kingdom Flag This quote is written / told by Graham Greene between October 2, 1904 and April 3, 1991. He/she was a famous Playwright from United Kingdom. The author also have 37 other quotes.
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