Imperative Quotes

“In the presence of Esch, values have hidden their faces. Order, loyalty, sacrifice—he cherishes all these words, but exactly what do they represent? Sacrifice for what? Demand what sort of order? He doesn't know.

If a value has lost its concrete content, what is left of it? A mere empty form; an imperative that goes unheeded and, all the more furious, demands to be heard and obeyed. The less Esch knows what he wants, the more furiously he wants it.

Esch: the fanaticism of the era with no God. Because all values have hidden their faces, anything can be considered a value. Justice, order—Esch seeks them now in the trade union struggle, then in religion; today in police power, tomorrow in the mirage of America, where he dreams of emigrating. He could be a terrorist or a repentant terrorist turning in his comrades, or a party militant or a cult member a kamikaze prepared to sacrifice his life. All the passions rampaging through the bloody history of our time are taken up, unmasked, and terrifyingly displayed in Esch's modest adventure.”
― Milan Kundera, The Art of the Novel

“We have a fundamental imperative in our lives to matter to others, to serve others, and to support each other in mattering more.”
― Tom Hayes

“She really was pretty, for a grown-up, but when you are seven, beauty is an abstraction, not an imperative.”
― Neil Gaiman, The Ocean at the End of the Lane

“Wake up.
If your eyes are sleeping
then wipe them gently.
You need to be awake for this.
It is a matter of life and death.

Wake up!
If your mind is sleeping
then shake it quickly.
You need to be awake for this.
It is a matter of life and death.

Wake up, I said!
If your heart is sleeping
then beat your chest!
You need to be awake for life!
You need to be awake for love!
It is a matter of living and being alive.”
― Kamand Kojouri

“I believe the free enterprise system is not an economic alternative. It's a moral imperative.”
― Ziad K. Abdelnour, Economic Warfare: Secrets of Wealth Creation in the Age of Welfare Politics

“It is imperative that you know that your activities on earth must have to it some divine purpose.”
― Sunday Adelaja

“Ensuring possibility is kept alive is imperative.”
― Steven Redhead, Life Is Simply A Game

“It is imperative to cultivate the ability to calmly come to terms with any situation.”
― Steven Redhead, Life Is a Dance

“It's the nature of our specialty: nothing can be explained. One can only achieve understanding on one's own. You are a command, a part of the Speech of Creation. A load-bearing structure. I told you once you were a projection. Remember? Here it is: You are a projection of the Word that is destined to reverberate. And every day you get closer to the original. You are a foundation upon which an entire universe can be built. And this cannot be explained, Sasha, it can only be understood.”
― Marina Dyachenko, Julia Meitov Hersey (translator) Sergey Dyachenko

“The truth of the matter is the truth matters.”
― Craig D. Lounsbrough

“It is imperative not to allow any situation to get you down, you're in control, you are not at the mercy of the environment that you may feel confines you.”
― Steven Redhead, Life Is A Circus