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Single Idea 19591

[from 'General Draft' by Novalis, in 15. Nature of Minds / C. Capacities of Minds / 6. Idealisation ]

Full Idea

An absolute drive toward perfection and completeness is an illness, as soon as it shows itself to be destructive and averse toward the imperfect, the incomplete.

Gist of Idea

Desire for perfection is an illness, if it turns against what is imperfect

Source

Novalis (General Draft [1799], 33)

Book Reference

Novalis: 'Philosophical Writings', ed/tr. Stoljar,M.M. [SUNY 1997], p.131


A Reaction

Deep and true! Novalis seems to be a particularist - hanging on to the fine detail of life, rather than being immersed in the theory. These are the philosophers who also turn to literature.

Related Idea

Idea 19594 General statements about nature are not valid [Novalis]