"We have to hate our immediate predecessors to get free of their authority"
- David Herbert Lawrence
About this Quote
In this quote, David Herbert Lawrence suggests that in order to break devoid of the influence and control of our immediate predecessors, we should first develop a sense of hatred towards them. This might seem counterproductive, as we are frequently taught to respect and honor those who came before us. Nevertheless, Lawrence argues that by harboring feelings of animosity towards our predecessors, we are able to challenge their authority and forge our own course. This can be seen as a call to rebel against tradition and societal standards, and to welcome uniqueness and self-reliance. Ultimately, Lawrence thinks that in order to truly be free, we should decline the authority of those who came before us.
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