8 Quotes by Iris Murdoch about self


  • Author Iris Murdoch
  • Quote

    We are such inward secret creatures, that inwardness the most amazing thing about us, even more amazing than our reason. But we cannot just walk into the cavern and look around. Most of what we think we know about our minds is pseudo-knowledge. We are all such shocking poseurs, so good at inflating the importance of what we think we value.

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  • Author Iris Murdoch
  • Quote

    The same virtues, in the end, the same virtue (love), are required throughout, and fantasy (self) can prevent us from seeing a blade of grass just as it can prevent us from seeing another person. An increasing awareness of 'goods' and the attempt (usually only partially successful) to attend to them purely, without self, brings with it an increasing awareness of the unity and interdependence of the moral world. One-seeking intelligence is the image of faith.

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  • Author Iris Murdoch
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    It is not simply that suppression of self is required before accurate vision can be obtained. The great artist sees his objects (and this is true whether they are sad, absurd, repulsive or even evil) in a light of justice and mercy. The direction of attention is, contrary to nature, outward, away from self which reduces all to a false unity, towards the great surprising variety of the world, and the ability so to direct attention is love.

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  • Author Iris Murdoch
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    Nothing is more beautifully and acceptably self-assertive than good singing.

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  • Author Iris Murdoch
  • Quote

    We must live by the light of our own self-satisfaction, through that secret vital busy inwardness which is even more remarkable than our reason.

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