I like them to talk nonsense. That’s man’s one privilege over all creation. Through error you come to the truth! I am a man because I err!
― Fyodor Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment
The Lessons of Nonsense with Dostoevsky
Have you ever heard the saying, “Through error, you come to the truth”? This quote highlights the importance of making mistakes and thinking for oneself. It suggests that it is better to go wrong in your own way than to go right in someone else’s, because at least in the first case, you are being true to yourself and using your own judgment.
But in today’s world, it seems that we are often encouraged to follow the status quo and live on other people’s ideas. We may feel pressure to conform to certain beliefs or ways of thinking, and we may be afraid to make mistakes or speak our minds.
This is where the value of “nonsense” comes in. By talking nonsense, or expressing unconventional ideas, we can challenge the status quo and push ourselves to think critically and independently. It may be uncomfortable or scary to speak out against the norm, but doing so can lead us to new insights and understanding.
Furthermore, by embracing the freedom to think and speak freely, we can avoid becoming like birds, following the same pre-determined path as everyone else. We can instead become true individuals, with the ability to form our own opinions and ideas.
So next time you are tempted to simply go along with the crowd, remember that it is important to think for yourself and embrace the privilege of being able to express your own thoughts and ideas, even if they are considered “nonsense” by others. By doing so, you can continue to grow and develop as a person, and perhaps even come closer to the “truth”.