Stanisław Jerzy Lec was a highly influential Polish aphorist and poet of the 20th century, known for his philosophical and moral skepticism, often with a political subtext. One of his most renowned works is “Unkempt Thoughts” (Myśli nieuczesane), where he masterfully shared profound insights on society, politics, and human nature through his concise and sharp aphorisms. The book’s success led to “More Unkempt Thoughts” (Myśli nieuczesane nowe), offering further introspective commentary through this unique literary form.
Stanislaw Jerzy Lec, Polish aphorist and poet: Unkempt Thoughts
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The window to the world can be covered by a newspaper.
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Witches admitted their relations with the devil. Our blood boils — how could they be forced to admit this when there is no devil. But reason tells us this is not true. The devil does exist and was in fact the inquisitor.
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Do I have no soul as punishment for not believing in the soul?
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He wears a hair shirt but is fussy about its cut.
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Some hide truth because they fear it, others hide truth because they want to save it for the right occasion. Both truths are exactly the same.
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When myth meets myth, the collision is very real.
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Perhaps God chose me to be an atheist?
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Mud sometimes gives the illusion of depth.
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Thoughts, like fleas, jump from man to man. But they don’t bite everybody.
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Sometimes the bell swings the bellman.
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I know a fellow who had such a poor ear for music that, if he had only built a theory around it, he would have been famous.
More Unkempt Thoughts
No snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible.
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It is the high priests that make demands — not the gods they serve.
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Those for whom you die on the cross are never close by.
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Don’t trust people. They are capable of greatness.