He told himself that he could only survive through madness. Only madness can accommodate faith and disbelief, glory and shame, love and deception, honesty and lies. As for the mind, how can it bear this strange life? How can the brightest stars shine when they are stuck up to the top of their heads in the mud?!

πŸ“– Naguib Mahfouz

🌍 Egyptian  |  πŸ‘¨β€πŸ’Ό Novelist

πŸŽ‚ December 11, 1911  β€“  ⚰️ August 30, 2006
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The protagonist reflects on the paradoxes of life, suggesting that true survival may depend on embracing madness. This madness allows for a coexistence of contrasting emotions and beliefs, like faith and doubt, and feelings of glory alongside shame. The complexities of human experience are too overwhelming for reason alone to grasp, prompting the character to question the validity of rational thought in a chaotic existence.

The imagery of stars bogged down in mud serves to illustrate the struggle between potential greatness and harsh reality. Despite the brilliance that exists within, external circumstances can hinder one's ability to shine. This metaphor underscores the tension between aspirations and the burdens of life that constrain true expression and fulfillment.

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January 24, 2025

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