Quote

Deeds of violence in our society are performed largely by those trying to establish their self-esteem, to defend their self-image, and to demonstrate that they, too, are significant.

Rollo May

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Rollo May
Age: 85 †
Born: 1909
Born: April 21
Died: 1994
Died: October 22
Psychologist
Psychotherapist
Writer
Violence
Performed
Society
Establish
Self
Largely
Trying
Defend
Esteem
Deeds
Significant
Image
Demonstrate

More quotes by Rollo May

Image
It is infinitely safer to know that the man at the top has his doubts, as you and I have ours, yet has the courage to move ahead in spite of these doubts.
Rollo May
Image
Creativity arises out of the tension between spontaneity and limitations, the latter (like the river banks) forcing the spontaneity into the various forms which are essential to the work of art or poem.
Rollo May
Image
People attain worth and dignity by the multitude of decisions they make from day to day.
Rollo May
Image
Violence arises not out of superfluity of power but out of powerlessness.
Rollo May
Image
Many people feel they are powerless to do anything effective with their lives. It takes courage to break out of the settled mold, but most find conformity more comfortable. This is why the opposite of courage in our society is not cowardice, it's conformity.
Rollo May
Image
Professors will lecture with more inspiration if they occasionally alternate the classroom with the beach: authors will write better when, as Macaulay used to do, they write for two hours, then pitch quoits, and then go back to their writing. But certainly more than the mere mechanical alternation is involved.
Rollo May
Image
Poets may be delightful creatures in the meadow or the garret, but they are menaces on the assembly line.
Rollo May
Image
The insight is born with anxiety, guilt and the joy and gratification that is inseparable from the actualizing of a new idea or vision.
Rollo May
Image
Now, I believe in life, and I believe in the joy of human existence, but these things cannot be experienced except as we also face the despair, also face the anxiety that every human being has to face if he lives with any creativity at all.
Rollo May
Image
It is highly significant and indeed almost a rule, that moral courage has its source in such identification through one's own sensitivity with suffering of one's fellow human beings. (p. 16-17)
Rollo May
Image
It is an ironic habit of human beings to run faster when we have lost our way.
Rollo May
Image
Our age is one of transition, in which the normal channels for utilizing the daimonic are denied and such ages tend to be times when the daimonic is expressed in its most destructive form.
Rollo May
Image
The daimonic is any natural function which has the power to take over the whole person. Sex and eros, anger and rage, and the craving for power are examples. The daimonic can be either creative or destructive and is normally both.
Rollo May
Image
I learned that healing and cure are active processes in which I myself needed to participate.
Rollo May
Image
They pursue meaninglessness until they can force it to mean.
Rollo May
Image
One does not become fully human painlessly.
Rollo May
Image
Creativity is neither the product of neurosis nor simple talent, but an intense courageous encounter with the Gods.
Rollo May
Image
Intimacy requires courage because risk is inescapable.
Rollo May
Image
Apathy adds up, in the long run, to cowardice.
Rollo May
Image
Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy and mutual valuing.
Rollo May