Despair is the only cure for illusion. Without despair we cannot transfer our allegiance to reality—it is a kind of mourning period for our fantasies. Some people do not survive this despair, but no major change within a person can occur without it.

About Philip Slater

Philip Elliot Slater (May 15, 1927 – June 20, 2013) was an American sociologist, social critic, novelist, and playwright. He was the author of 12 books and more than 20 plays, and was a blogger for The Huffington Post. Formerly a lecturer at Harvard for six years and a professor...

More quotations tagged with “fantasy”

Having a fantasy come true doesn't always mean it will be permanent.

—Jodi Picoult in Sing You Home

reality dreams fantasy

The most delusional fantasies can be made to masquerade as sanity if you've got the political power to reinforce them.

—Penny Skillman

politics power fantasy

I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, It's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, And that enables you to laugh at life's realities.

—Dr. Seuss

life reality laughter nonsense fantasy telescopes

History

17 Dec 2015 Added
26 Oct 2026 Wording changed

Previous wording

Despair is the only cure for illusion. Without despair we cannot transfer our allegiance to reality — it is a kind of mourning period for our fantasies. Some people do not survive this despair, but no major change within a person can occur without it.