Paul Valéry

Why Simple Answers Fail, Complex Ones Fade

To say “what is simple is false” is to accuse simplicity of leaving out the very variables that make a claim reliable. A simple story often functions like a map with too few landmarks: it feels clear precisely because it has erased obstacles, exceptions, and competing causes. In public debates, this is why slogans thrive—they give the mind a clean handle, even when the handle is attached to an inaccurate picture. This suspicion echoes Alfred Korzybski’s reminder that “the map is not the territory” in Science and Sanity (1933): our summaries are not the thing itself. Valéry’s point follows naturally: when the summary becomes too sleek, it stops pointing to the real terrain. [...]

Life Is a Series of Changes - Paul Valéry

It underscores the empowering realization that, although external circumstances may shift, we have the power to influence the trajectory of our lives through our reactions and choices. [...]

What Life Expects of Us Is That We Can Live It Ourselves — Paul Valéry

Valéry, a French poet and philosopher, often reflected on human experiences, time, and existence. This quote aligns with existentialist themes, encouraging individuals to find meaning and purpose through their own lived actions and choices. [...]

We Must Not Allow the Opinion of Others to Deprive Us of Our Right to Be Wrong – Paul Valéry

To embrace the right to be wrong is to cultivate resilience – the ability to recover and learn from errors – and confidence in navigating the world without being deterred by the judgments of others. [...]

The Respectable Thing Is Not to Lose One's Self at All - Paul Valéry

It also speaks to the notion of emotional discipline. Maintaining a calm and centered self, without being overwhelmed by circumstances or emotions, is portrayed as a respectable and admirable quality. [...]

We Are Not What We Were Born, But What We Choose to Become - Paul Valéry

Paul Valéry, a French poet and philosopher, lived during the late 19th and early 20th century. His works often delved into introspective and philosophical themes. This particular quote reflects the existential questions that were prominent in European intellectual discourse during that time. [...]

The Best Way to Make Your Dreams Come True Is to Wake Up - Paul Valéry

The quote serves as a motivational reminder that dreams do not manifest on their own. To achieve what one desires, it is necessary to 'wake up' to possibilities and put in the required work. [...]