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Jacques Derrida Quotes

22 Insightful Quotes By Jacques Derrida For The Sage

Famous As: French Philosopher Who Developed the Philosophical Approach Known as 'Deconstruction'

Born On: July 15, 1930

Died On: October 9, 2004

Born In: El Biar, Algeria

Died At Age: 74

Jacques Derrida was an eminent French philosopher well-known for developing ‘deconstruction’, a form of semiotic analysis. Derrida developed this in context to phenomenology and he discussed his thoughts, views and opinions on the same in numerous texts. He is considered as one of the utmost figures associated with postmodern and post-structuralism philosophy. He expressed his thoughts and viewpoints on the subject through his writings and books which include more than 40 books and numerous public presentations and essays. His works have significantly influenced the study of various subjects including humanities, religious studies, law, anthropology, feminism, political theory, applied linguistic, ethics, music, art, architecture, epistemology, gay and lesbian studies. Zoom through the quotable quotes and sayings by Jacques Derrida which have been excerpted from the vast sea of his works. Presenting popular, inspiring, motivational and enlightening quotations and thoughts by Jacques Derrida.

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Philosophers

Intellectuals & Academics

To pretend, I actually do the thing: I have therefore only pretended to pretend.

To pretend, I actually do the thing: I have therefore only pretended to pretend.
I
Jacques Derrida

What cannot be said above all must not be silenced but written.

What cannot be said above all must not be silenced but written.
Jacques Derrida

Monsters cannot be announced. One cannot say: 'Here are our monsters,' without immediately turning the monsters into pets.

Monsters cannot be announced. One cannot say: 'Here are our monsters,' without immediately turning the monsters into pets.
Jacques Derrida

I always dream of a pen that would be a syringe.

I always dream of a pen that would be a syringe.
I
Jacques Derrida

I speak only one language, and it is not my own.

I speak only one language, and it is not my own.
I
Jacques Derrida

No one gets angry at a mathematician or a physicist whom he or she doesn't understand, or at someone who speaks a foreign language, but rather at someone who tampers with your own language.

No one gets angry at a mathematician or a physicist whom he or she doesn't understand, or at someone who speaks a foreign language, but rather at someone who tampers with your own language.
Jacques Derrida

Psychoanalysis has taught that the dead – a dead parent, for example – can be more alive for us, more powerful, more scary, than the living. It is the question of ghosts.

Psychoanalysis has taught that the dead – a dead parent, for example – can be more alive for us, more powerful, more scary, than the living. It is the question of ghosts.
Living
Jacques Derrida

If this work seems so threatening, this is because it isn't simply eccentric or strange, but competent, rigorously argued, and carrying conviction

If this work seems so threatening, this is because it isn't simply eccentric or strange, but competent, rigorously argued, and carrying conviction
Jacques Derrida

I believe in the value of the book, which keeps something irreplaceable, and in the necessity of fighting to secure its respect.

I believe in the value of the book, which keeps something irreplaceable, and in the necessity of fighting to secure its respect.
Believe I
Jacques Derrida

Such a caring for death, an awakening that keeps vigil over death, a conscience that looks death in the face, is another name for freedom.

Such a caring for death, an awakening that keeps vigil over death, a conscience that looks death in the face, is another name for freedom.
Death
Jacques Derrida

The traditional statement about language is that it is in itself living, and that writing is the dead part of language.

The traditional statement about language is that it is in itself living, and that writing is the dead part of language.
Living
Jacques Derrida

We are given over to absolute solitude. No one can speak with us and no one can speak for us; we must take it upon ourselves, each of us must take it upon himself.

We are given over to absolute solitude. No one can speak with us and no one can speak for us; we must take it upon ourselves, each of us must take it upon himself.
Jacques Derrida

Cinema plus Psychoanalysis equals the Science of Ghosts.

Cinema plus Psychoanalysis equals the Science of Ghosts.
Jacques Derrida

I rightly pass for an atheist.
I
Jacques Derrida

How can I say 'I love you', if I know the love is you .. the word 'love' either as a verb or a noun would be destroyed in front of you

How can I say 'I love you', if I know the love is you .. the word 'love' either as a verb or a noun would be destroyed in front of you
You Love I
Jacques Derrida

Surviving - that is the other name of a mourning whose possibility is never to be awaited.

Surviving - that is the other name of a mourning whose possibility is never to be awaited.
Never
Jacques Derrida

You always return to the water...
You
Jacques Derrida

... and in the homosexual phase which would follow Eurydice's death ... Orpheus sings no more, he writes.

... and in the homosexual phase which would follow Eurydice's death ... Orpheus sings no more, he writes.
Death
Jacques Derrida

The lie is the future, one may venture to say [...]. To tell the truth is, on the contrary, to say what is or what will have been and it would instead prefer the past.

The lie is the future, one may venture to say [...]. To tell the truth is, on the contrary, to say what is or what will have been and it would instead prefer the past.
Future Past Will
Jacques Derrida

I cannot respond to the call, the request, the obligation, or even the love of another, without sacrificing the other other, the other others

I cannot respond to the call, the request, the obligation, or even the love of another, without sacrificing the other other, the other others
Love I
Jacques Derrida