The 7 best phrases of Ortega y Gasset

Below, we present and analyze the best phrases of the Spanish philosopher and writer Ortega y Gasset.

Ortega y Gasset’s phrases invite us to reflect and question ourselves. They are a gift for anyone who wants to delve deeper through metaphor and clever sentences. Ortega y Gasset (1883 – 1955) was a Spanish philosopher and writer linked to the theory of perspectivism, ratiovitalism and the movement of cultural and artistic renewal against modernism, known as noucentisme.

His thoughts have had a great influence on several generations of intellectuals. Furthermore, not only was he a brilliant popularizer, but he delved into a wide variety of fields of knowledge, including philosophy, psychology, art and literature. His style is considered elegant and original, especially his philosophical discourse.. Proof of this are works such as The time of our time (1923) or the Rebelion of the mass (1929). To get to know him a little more in depth, let’s delve into some of his phrases.

The path to oneself

“Slow walk, don’t hurry, the only place you have to get to is yourself.”

This is one of Ortega y Gasset’s most valuable phrases. Destination is not a place, nor a job, nor a moment. It is not the path to our dreams, but reconciliation with ourselves. The exact point at which we find our true essence.

Sometimes, We forget that the most important thing is not out there, but inside each of us. What good is it to get what we wanted, to have the life that “we have dreamed of” if we do not accompany each other later… Perhaps sometimes we reverse the order and prioritize external goals thinking that later there will be a time to get to know each other. Postponing the fundamental thing: reaching ourselves.

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The value of errors

“The true treasure of man is the treasure of his errors.”

A mistake is a bridge to learning, the opportunity to improve what at some point went wrong. A treasure, as Ortega y Gasset expresses, full of wisdom.

Change and growth are built from our mistakes. You just have to learn to see it. Errors are human, we all make them. It is almost impossible to save yourself from them. In fact, we cannot control them because we are not perfect. Now, what we can choose is the attitude to face them.

Mistakes are great teachers. You just have to give this attitude a chance. They tell us which path to abandon or which strategy to improve. There is a whole world to decipher from them, so they all contain a challenge in themselves.

The construction of reality

“There are as many realities as there are points of view. The point of view creates the panorama.”

One of Ortega y Gasset’s phrases to remember in our conversations with others. Each person creates a world, their world, and from it they filter everything that happens around them. Many misunderstandings arise from this; That’s why sometimes it’s so difficult to understand each other.

The beautiful and enriching thing about our relationships is appreciate the nuances found in each of the perspectives, of the points of view that surround us. That’s the magic, the mystery. A reality that multiplies and depends on the eyes of those who look at it.

Plan and think in perspective to move forward

“It is only possible to go forward when you look beyond. One can only progress when you think big”.

Ortega y Gasset was very clear about it: Moving forward means thinking big and believing that anything is possible. If we limit our thinking, our dreams will be greatly reduced.

Read Also: 7 signs to know yourself better

In terms of projects, goals and objectives, the word impossible should be at the bottom of the list of meanings that we use. Because, if we reduce our field of vision, it is normal that we will not achieve what we intended. There is a whole world of possibilities out there, you just have to find a way. That is the challenge.

teach to doubt

“Whenever you teach, teach to doubt what you teach.”

Another of Ortega y Gasset’s phrases that is worth keeping in mind, especially in the educational field. If we want free adults with the capacity to make their own decisions, teaching doubt is essential.

To impose an idea is to shorten the field of knowledge that is so extensive and unlimited… However, Teaching to question, not only others, but ourselves is also the key to knowledge. The door to wealth from diversity of perspectives. Doubt is essential to build liberating ideas.

The importance of responsibility

“Many men, like children, want a thing but not its consequences.”

Taking responsibility for the consequences of our actions implies emotional maturity. Knowing that a decision involves something more than the moment of choice is essential. Everything often lasts much longer than the moment in which it occurs. Knowing what to do with the trail it leaves allows us to move forward, organize ourselves and not get lost.

Those who do not take responsibility live in instability, victimhood and guilt. He doesn’t know what steps to take or even which ones he has already taken. She moves by whim and immediacy, like children. Obviously, when you get what you want, it will also be important to know what to do with its trace.

Know with humility

“Knowing that one does not know constitutes perhaps the most difficult and delicate knowledge.”

Perhaps one of Ortega y Gasset’s most complicated phrases and one that implies great doses of humility on our part to accept it, but one of the wisest. Recognize our limitations, accept that we know something like a drop of water within a huge ocean is essential.

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What do we really know? He who believes he knows everything will not go further because his pride prevents him from doing so. On the other hand, those who humbly accept their ignorance are closer to taking one more step to continue discovering everything that surrounds them. As we see, Ortega y Gasset’s phrases are a call to self-reflection and questioning. Words to turn to if we want to break the rigidity of our thinking.