Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn: Passion Fee

Meaning of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn Money Quote: saying passion gets a grip on the price we pay. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn said:

 

 

“That was the price you had to pay. Once a single passion got a grip on you it ousted all others” — Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

In this quote, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn is referring to the power and intensity of passion or strong emotion. He suggests that when a person becomes fully consumed by a single, dominant passion or feeling, it tends to “oust” or displace all other passions, thoughts and concerns they may have. Solzhenitsyn seems to mean that pursuing or experiencing an intense passion comes at the “price” of that passion taking over one’s mind and crowding out everything else.

So in essence, he is noting how compelling passions have the ability to become all-encompassing, such that a person focuses entirely on that one feeling or drive and loses sight of other aspects of their life or self for a period of time. According to Solzhenitsyn, surrendering completely to passion comes at the cost of it dominating one’s mental state and priorities.

Birthday: December 11, 1918 – Death: August 3, 2008

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn: It’s Ruinous

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn Money Quote saying it’s not necessary to have economic growth and can even bring ruin. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn said:
 

 

“Economic growth is not only unncessary, but ruinous” — Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

In this quote, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn seems to be criticizing the notion that constant economic growth is always necessary or beneficial for a society. By stating that economic growth is “not only unnecessary, but ruinous”, he appears to believe that beyond a certain point, continual expansion of economic output and activity can actually be damaging rather than helpful.

Solzhenitsyn may have felt that an over-emphasis on growth could undermine other important social, environmental or cultural values. So in summary, the best interpretation is that he viewed relentless pursuit of economic growth as both unnecessary and potentially destructive to a well-functioning society in the long run, once basic needs have been met.

Birthday: December 11, 1918 – Death: August 3, 2008

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn: Repulsive $

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn Money Quote saying that without decency and morals, any ideology is corrupt. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn said:
 

 

“Untouched by the breath of God, unrestricted by human conscience, both capitalism and socialism are repulsive” — Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

In this quote, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn appears to be criticizing both capitalism and socialism as economic systems when taken to an extreme, without limits. By saying they are “untouched by the breath of God, unrestricted by human conscience”, he seems to mean that when either system operates solely based on secular principles like profit/growth or state control, without regard for moral/ethical concerns, they can become “repulsive”.

Solzhenitsyn may have felt that for an economic system to function in a just and humane way over the long term, it needs to be informed and balanced by spiritual/ethical values like compassion – not just material or ideological goals.

So in summary, the best interpretation is he believed that unrestrained or unlimited capitalism and socialism, when divorced from moral/ethical concerns, could dehumanize societies.

Birthday December 11, 1918 – Died August 3, 2008