Slavoj Zizek

Philosopher, cultural critic

Contemporary influential 140 sayings

Sayings by Slavoj Zizek

The greatest danger is not external, but internal.

2010s — Various lectures and interviews
Controversial Unverifiable

The true meaning of freedom is to choose your own limitations.

2000s — Various lectures and writings
Controversial Unverifiable

The only way to be truly human is to be truly inhuman.

2000s — Various lectures and books
Controversial Unverifiable

The greatest act of courage is to be afraid and still act.

2010s — Various lectures and interviews
Controversial Unverifiable

The problem is not lack of choice, but too much choice.

2000s — Various lectures and books
Controversial Unverifiable

The true revolutionary is the one who dares to be boring.

2010s — Various lectures and interviews
Controversial Unverifiable

The greatest evil is not to do evil, but to do nothing.

2000s — Various lectures and books
Controversial Unverifiable

The true meaning of life is to find a meaning that is not there.

2000s — Various lectures and books
Controversial Unverifiable

The greatest challenge is not to change the world, but to change our perception of it.

2010s — Various lectures and interviews
Controversial Unverifiable

We are all living in a simulation, and we don't know it.

2000s — Often uses simulation theory as a philosophical analogy
Controversial Unverifiable

Humanity is OK, but 99% of people are boring idiots.

2012 — Interview with Decca Aitkenhead, The Guardian.
Humorous Unverifiable

If you have reasons to love someone, you don't love them.

2000s-2010s (approximate) — Lecture or interview, widely cited.
Humorous Unverifiable

I already am eating from the trash can all the time. The name of this trash can is ideology.

2012 (documentary release) — From 'The Pervert's Guide to Ideology' (documentary) or related writings.
Humorous Unverifiable

Love is what makes sex more than masturbation. If there is no love even if you are really with a partner you masturbate with a partner.

2000s-2010s (approximate) — Lecture or interview, widely cited.
Humorous Unverifiable

I hate writing. I so intensely hate writing—I cannot tell you how much.

2010s (approximate) — Interview or lecture, widely cited.
Humorous Unverifiable

The only way to survive such shitty times, if you ask me, is to write and read big, fat books, you know?

2010s (approximate) — Interview or lecture, widely cited.
Humorous Unverifiable

We feel free because we lack the very language to articulate our unfreedom.

2002 — From 'Welcome to the Desert of the Real'
Humorous Unverifiable

I'm ready to sell my mother into slavery just to fuck you forever.

2010s (approximate) — Interview, often used to illustrate his 'incurably romantic' stance on love.
Humorous Unverifiable

If you want to remain happy, just remain stupid. Authentic masters are never happy; happiness is a category of slaves.

2000s-2010s (approximate) — Lecture or interview, widely cited.
Humorous Unverifiable

Cinema is the ultimate pervert art. It doesn't give you what you desire - it tells you how to desire.

2006 (documentary release) — From 'The Pervert's Guide to Cinema' (documentary) or related writings.
Humorous Unverifiable