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Thinker · 5 quotes

Primo Levi quotes for UPSC

5 sourced quotes by Primo Levi on history & civilisation, justice & rule of law, equality & social justice, happiness & meaning of life, with a use case for each in GS4, Essay and interviews.

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A country is considered the more civilised the more the wisdom and efficiency of its laws hinder a weak man from becoming too weak and a powerful one too powerful.
— Primo LeviIf This Is a Man (1947)
Use itGS2/Essay: civilisation measured by laws that protect the weak and restrain the powerful.
Justice & Rule of LawEquality & Social JusticeEssayGS2
It is the duty of righteous men to make war on all undeserved privilege, but one must not forget that this is a war without end.
— Primo LeviThe Drowned and the Saved (1986)
Use itEssay on social justice; fighting undeserved privilege is a duty and an endless struggle.
Equality & Social JusticeResilience & PerseveranceEssayGS4
Those who deny Auschwitz would be ready to remake it.
— Primo LeviInterview with Daniel Toaff, Sorgenti di Vita (25 March 1983); translated by Mirto Stone
Use itEssay on historical memory; denial of atrocities paves the way for repeating them.
History & CivilisationPeace, Non-violence & ConflictEssayGS1
It happened, therefore it can happen again: this is the core of what we have to say. It can happen, and it can happen everywhere.
— Primo LeviThe Drowned and the Saved (1986)
Use itEssay on genocide and vigilance; atrocities that happened can recur anywhere.
History & CivilisationPeace, Non-violence & ConflictEssayGS1
The aims of life are the best defense against death.
— Primo LeviThe Drowned and the Saved (1986)
Use itLife: purpose and goals sustain us through despair.
Happiness & Meaning of LifeEssayLife

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