Comments on: The Law of Jante http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2009/01/09/the-law-of-jante-2/ updated on Monday, Wednesday, Friday Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:29:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Rishabh Bhasin http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2009/01/09/the-law-of-jante-2/comment-page-1/#comment-812161 Rishabh Bhasin Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:39:01 +0000 http://paulocoelhoblog.com/?p=7332#comment-812161 Very Interesting. One may argue that even the Law of Jante has its positive side with it ensuring a sense of harmony. Its a conservative thought. But there is no doubt that in order to succeed, the law of Jante is meant to be broken Very Interesting. One may argue that even the Law of Jante has its positive side with it ensuring a sense of harmony. Its a conservative thought. But there is no doubt that in order to succeed, the law of Jante is meant to be broken

]]> By: Sasa Milosevic http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2009/01/09/the-law-of-jante-2/comment-page-1/#comment-687128 Sasa Milosevic Fri, 15 Apr 2011 17:29:08 +0000 http://paulocoelhoblog.com/?p=7332#comment-687128 Mr Coelho, Thank you very much for this story. This is first time I hear for set of these, I must say very destructive, rules of life. Unfortunately, I observe the popularity of this law in my country, Serbia. More and more countries practice that instead to work on own values. This is a work regarding Jante's Law in Sweden. The Law of Jante in Swedish Society:: A thesis written in 1998 while I attended the University of Minnesota. Written from the perspective of an American's view of Jantelagen. If one asks a Swede what is the most prevalent characteristic of their society, they would probably say, "We are envious of our neighbors good fortune." After talking with enough of them, one would come to realize it is truly a widespread mentality in the Swedish society as a whole. In fact, the Swedish Institute of Public Opinion Research found that in a poll conducted of which traits Swedes identify themselves mostly with, "Envious" was at the top of the list with 49% of the respondents. (Daun, 186). What is behind the prevalence of envy in this prosperous, industrialized, yet intensely jealous nation? The foremost reason can be described by Jante's Law. Jante's Law comes from the Norwegian/Danish author Aksel Sandemose's novel, "En flygtning krysser sitt spor", in which the fictitious Danish town of Jante lives by its own ten commandments. Jante's law is defined by Sandemose: "This is Jante: each little soul's struggle for coequality and recognition, never without consciousness that all the others are greater than he." These ten laws stand as both a criticism and a fairly accurate depiction of moral code in Sweden and Scandinavia today. It can be said that many modern swedes live by these laws, consciously or not, and embrace them deeply. "The Law of Jante was not merely a set of laws, it was the very core of the speech of the people, all they ever said could be traced straight back to the Law of Jante." (Sandemose, 28). Envy, despite being a christian sin, is a principle part of Jante's law, as the result of breaking this social code means that your neighbors will despise you for your individuality, uniqueness, or an excess show of wealth. In fact, one could venture to say that in Swedish society, breaking Jante's law is in and of itself much worse than committing the sin of envy. What purpose does Jante's law serve in Swedish society today? "By means of the Law of Jante people stamp out each other's chances in life." (Sandemose, 28). This cruel statement taken by itself paints a harsh and unforgiving picture of Swedish society. Yet, the laws serve a purpose deeply rooted in historical background. In early provincial Sweden, strong community solidarity was necessary to tie people together and to survive as a collective. The survival of the community as an entire entity was more important than any individual member, and thus the moral code behind Jante's law was formed. As Sweden emerged as an egalitarian state, the envy and hatred of one's neighbour became more prevalent in society as the disparity between incomes grew lesser. With every TV set and stereo ones neighbours purchased it became important that you had one as well. Society scolded those who bought flashier cars than such a person should have, yet all the while wishing deep inside it had an even better vehichle. The mere fact that economically one's neighbours earn a much closer income makes the petty differences matter more to the average Swede. For example, if Per Löfgren is a doctor, and makes a bit higher salary than the Dahlbergs across the hall, it would be considered boastful and insulting to the Dahlbergs if he had them over to show off the pictures from his lavish vacation to India. In fact, just mentioning the vacation casually would be in violation of Jante's law. In order to live by the law of Jante, one must not only show, but prove one thinks no more of themself than one thinks of the great and powerful "we". Although Sweden is a successful and relatively financially secure nation, Jante's law persists in society. This peasant law, which valued a strong work ethic and a communal mentality, exists today because Swedes deeply believe their society relies on it to succeed and to prosper. In his essay "A System out of Harmony with its Values", Patrik Engellau describes the reliance of Swedes on Jante's law. "The stability of Swedish society requires that all three pillars bear its weight. If we forget one or two of them and attempt the circus feat of standing on only one of them, we are in danger of losing our balance and falling flat on our faces." (Engellau, 57). It is this fear of change and instability that keeps modern Swedes belief in middle-road equality alive. A good example of modern Sweden reacting in the way of Jante's law is the Swedish perspective on fame and stardom. In Åke Daun's book Swedish Mentality he writes, "Swedes are ambivalent about their 'stars' (the more neutral term 'celebrity' is seldom used) whether in sports, show business, or culture. The stars' successes may be admired, but their exclusiveness and out-of-the-ordinary achievements often give rise to envy and therefore to malicious pleasure when the stars 'fall.' The high value towards sameness makes all personal successes problematic." (Daun, 107). It happens quite often that political figures are victims of newspaper and magazine exposés, as the public reacts quite zealously when seeing prominent figures fail. This presents a rather daunting problem for those in prominent positions, as it is their duty under Jante's law to mask their successes as much as they can, and to never revel in them. From an American perspective, Jante's law may be Scandinavia's greatest cultural difference. In the American workplace, management uses positive reinforcement with employees as a method of motivation. In Sweden and much of Scandinavia, one is expected to get ones work done, without much herald. It can be related to the Swedish proverb, "Noble deeds are done in silence." (Engellau, 57). If an American enters the Swedish workplace expecting the same treatment of endless compliments for a job well done, they are certainly in for a surprise. Likewise, should a Swede come to work in the states, they are not likely to know the proper response to the barrage of compliments they will receive. It is typical of Swedes to respond to compliments in a negative manner, by saying "No, I really didn't do anything special," or "It wasn't anything anyone else couldn't easily do." In the states, responding to a compliment in this manner is insulting to the person giving the compliment in the way that it infers the person didn't know what they were talking about. However, should the American respond to a compliment in a Swedish workplace with "Thanks, I did my best!" or "It was easy", they will be received as being boastful, overly proud, and in direct violation of Jante's law, thus instilling envy in their coworkers. Jante's law isn't strictly a Scandinavian philosophy, there is also a similar social code in Chile (Daun, 176). However, the strength of this mentality lingers stronger in Scandinavia than any other place on the map. In recent years, this has changed a little, partly because along with the growing popularity of the American economic system has come the adoption of American ideas and values, which are in strict conflict with Jante's law. The increasing globalization of trade and the influx of immigrants into Swedish society has also diminished the strengh of Sweden's social code. However, evidence of Jante's law can still be seen in nearly all facets of society, and will most likely prevail for years to come. Copyright 1998: Crystal Lee Möller, all rights reserved. http://www.waste.org/~xtal/red/jante.html Mr Coelho,
Thank you very much for this story. This is first time I hear for set of these, I must say very destructive, rules of life.
Unfortunately, I observe the popularity of this law in my country, Serbia. More and more countries practice that instead to work on own values. This is a work regarding Jante’s Law in Sweden.

The Law of Jante in Swedish Society::
A thesis written in 1998 while I attended the University of Minnesota. Written from the perspective of an American’s view of Jantelagen.

If one asks a Swede what is the most prevalent characteristic of their society, they would probably say, “We are envious of our neighbors good fortune.” After talking with enough of them, one would come to realize it is truly a widespread mentality in the Swedish society as a whole. In fact, the Swedish Institute of Public Opinion Research found that in a poll conducted of which traits Swedes identify themselves mostly with, “Envious” was at the top of the list with 49% of the respondents. (Daun, 186). What is behind the prevalence of envy in this prosperous, industrialized, yet intensely jealous nation?

The foremost reason can be described by Jante’s Law. Jante’s Law comes from the Norwegian/Danish author Aksel Sandemose’s novel, “En flygtning krysser sitt spor”, in which the fictitious Danish town of Jante lives by its own ten commandments. Jante’s law is defined by Sandemose: “This is Jante: each little soul’s struggle for coequality and recognition, never without consciousness that all the others are greater than he.” These ten laws stand as both a criticism and a fairly accurate depiction of moral code in Sweden and Scandinavia today. It can be said that many modern swedes live by these laws, consciously or not, and embrace them deeply. “The Law of Jante was not merely a set of laws, it was the very core of the speech of the people, all they ever said could be traced straight back to the Law of Jante.” (Sandemose, 28). Envy, despite being a christian sin, is a principle part of Jante’s law, as the result of breaking this social code means that your neighbors will despise you for your individuality, uniqueness, or an excess show of wealth. In fact, one could venture to say that in Swedish society, breaking Jante’s law is in and of itself much worse than committing the sin of envy.

What purpose does Jante’s law serve in Swedish society today? “By means of the Law of Jante people stamp out each other’s chances in life.” (Sandemose, 28). This cruel statement taken by itself paints a harsh and unforgiving picture of Swedish society. Yet, the laws serve a purpose deeply rooted in historical background. In early provincial Sweden, strong community solidarity was necessary to tie people together and to survive as a collective. The survival of the community as an entire entity was more important than any individual member, and thus the moral code behind Jante’s law was formed.

As Sweden emerged as an egalitarian state, the envy and hatred of one’s neighbour became more prevalent in society as the disparity between incomes grew lesser. With every TV set and stereo ones neighbours purchased it became important that you had one as well. Society scolded those who bought flashier cars than such a person should have, yet all the while wishing deep inside it had an even better vehichle. The mere fact that economically one’s neighbours earn a much closer income makes the petty differences matter more to the average Swede. For example, if Per Löfgren is a doctor, and makes a bit higher salary than the Dahlbergs across the hall, it would be considered boastful and insulting to the Dahlbergs if he had them over to show off the pictures from his lavish vacation to India. In fact, just mentioning the vacation casually would be in violation of Jante’s law. In order to live by the law of Jante, one must not only show, but prove one thinks no more of themself than one thinks of the great and powerful “we”.

Although Sweden is a successful and relatively financially secure nation, Jante’s law persists in society. This peasant law, which valued a strong work ethic and a communal mentality, exists today because Swedes deeply believe their society relies on it to succeed and to prosper. In his essay “A System out of Harmony with its Values”, Patrik Engellau describes the reliance of Swedes on Jante’s law. “The stability of Swedish society requires that all three pillars bear its weight. If we forget one or two of them and attempt the circus feat of standing on only one of them, we are in danger of losing our balance and falling flat on our faces.” (Engellau, 57). It is this fear of change and instability that keeps modern Swedes belief in middle-road equality alive.

A good example of modern Sweden reacting in the way of Jante’s law is the Swedish perspective on fame and stardom. In Åke Daun’s book Swedish Mentality he writes, “Swedes are ambivalent about their ‘stars’ (the more neutral term ‘celebrity’ is seldom used) whether in sports, show business, or culture. The stars’ successes may be admired, but their exclusiveness and out-of-the-ordinary achievements often give rise to envy and therefore to malicious pleasure when the stars ‘fall.’

The high value towards sameness makes all personal successes problematic.” (Daun, 107). It happens quite often that political figures are victims of newspaper and magazine exposés, as the public reacts quite zealously when seeing prominent figures fail. This presents a rather daunting problem for those in prominent positions, as it is their duty under Jante’s law to mask their successes as much as they can, and to never revel in them.

From an American perspective, Jante’s law may be Scandinavia’s greatest cultural difference. In the American workplace, management uses positive reinforcement with employees as a method of motivation. In Sweden and much of Scandinavia, one is expected to get ones work done, without much herald. It can be related to the Swedish proverb, “Noble deeds are done in silence.” (Engellau, 57). If an American enters the Swedish workplace expecting the same treatment of endless compliments for a job well done, they are certainly in for a surprise. Likewise, should a Swede come to work in the states, they are not likely to know the proper response to the barrage of compliments they will receive. It is typical of Swedes to respond to compliments in a negative manner, by saying “No, I really didn’t do anything special,” or “It wasn’t anything anyone else couldn’t easily do.” In the states, responding to a compliment in this manner is insulting to the person giving the compliment in the way that it infers the person didn’t know what they were talking about. However, should the American respond to a compliment in a Swedish workplace with “Thanks, I did my best!” or “It was easy”, they will be received as being boastful, overly proud, and in direct violation of Jante’s law, thus instilling envy in their coworkers.

Jante’s law isn’t strictly a Scandinavian philosophy, there is also a similar social code in Chile (Daun, 176). However, the strength of this mentality lingers stronger in Scandinavia than any other place on the map. In recent years, this has changed a little, partly because along with the growing popularity of the American economic system has come the adoption of American ideas and values, which are in strict conflict with Jante’s law. The increasing globalization of trade and the influx of immigrants into Swedish society has also diminished the strengh of Sweden’s social code. However, evidence of Jante’s law can still be seen in nearly all facets of society, and will most likely prevail for years to come.

Copyright 1998: Crystal Lee Möller, all rights reserved.

http://www.waste.org/~xtal/red/jante.html

]]> By: Ben http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2009/01/09/the-law-of-jante-2/comment-page-1/#comment-597445 Ben Sun, 31 Oct 2010 21:38:09 +0000 http://paulocoelhoblog.com/?p=7332#comment-597445 ohh man!! politics......!!!!!! ohh man!!
politics……!!!!!!

]]> By: Tom the Tom http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2009/01/09/the-law-of-jante-2/comment-page-1/#comment-441567 Tom the Tom Fri, 09 Oct 2009 07:39:58 +0000 http://paulocoelhoblog.com/?p=7332#comment-441567 We shouldn't be fixed on a single law. Life should not be governed by a single Law. Stoicism in my opinion is one other example how we can perceive things. Taking example of Marcus Aurelius, who said in his book of Meditations, " Say to yourself in the early morning: I shall meet today ungrateful, violent, treacherous, envious, uncharitable men. All of these things have come upon them through ignorance of real good and ill... I can neither be harmed by any of them, for no man will involve me in wrong, nor can I be angry with my kinsman or hate him; for we have come into the world to work together. " As much as I have in awe for his leadership, I cannot help but to disagree with his statement. Putting it in clearer terms, or my terms in this case, doesn't it also translate to say that we should start each day by expecting the worst to occur? Therefore in any case, along the course of the day, any occurrences can only be more positive than expected. Without the frustration, we can be a happier person. That in my humble opinion, should not be how we lead our lives. There is a certain good that we can take away from what Marcus Aurelius mentioned, the part where we should not expect the better of man. How about not expecting anything, nothing at all? Can we not start from zero, where anything that befalls us will not be of any 'better or worse'. No comparisons made, things happen, and we let it happen. We shouldn’t be fixed on a single law. Life should not be governed by a single Law. Stoicism in my opinion is one other example how we can perceive things. Taking example of Marcus Aurelius, who said in his book of Meditations, ” Say to yourself in the early morning: I shall meet today ungrateful, violent, treacherous, envious, uncharitable men. All of these things have come upon them through ignorance of real good and ill… I can neither be harmed by any of them, for no man will involve me in wrong, nor can I be angry with my kinsman or hate him; for we have come into the world to work together. ”

As much as I have in awe for his leadership, I cannot help but to disagree with his statement. Putting it in clearer terms, or my terms in this case, doesn’t it also translate to say that we should start each day by expecting the worst to occur? Therefore in any case, along the course of the day, any occurrences can only be more positive than expected. Without the frustration, we can be a happier person.

That in my humble opinion, should not be how we lead our lives. There is a certain good that we can take away from what Marcus Aurelius mentioned, the part where we should not expect the better of man. How about not expecting anything, nothing at all? Can we not start from zero, where anything that befalls us will not be of any ‘better or worse’. No comparisons made, things happen, and we let it happen.

]]> By: Tom the Tom http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2009/01/09/the-law-of-jante-2/comment-page-1/#comment-441537 Tom the Tom Fri, 09 Oct 2009 07:28:01 +0000 http://paulocoelhoblog.com/?p=7332#comment-441537 Mm Mm

]]> By: diddie http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2009/01/09/the-law-of-jante-2/comment-page-1/#comment-222431 diddie Tue, 21 Apr 2009 18:40:22 +0000 http://paulocoelhoblog.com/?p=7332#comment-222431 the laws of jante may have caused so much suffering to those stated....i have meet so many people who act like that but in the long run i end up not judging them as in every individual there is individuality, and how the human brain thinks...is totally different the laws of jante may have caused so much suffering to those stated….i have meet so many people who act like that but in the long run i end up not judging them as in every individual there is individuality, and how the human brain thinks…is totally different

]]> By: Per Solvang http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2009/01/09/the-law-of-jante-2/comment-page-1/#comment-117702 Per Solvang Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:56:22 +0000 http://paulocoelhoblog.com/?p=7332#comment-117702 The problem with mediocrity is that its celebrated. America has been at war with science and the intellecuals since the days of Ronald Reagan. The general public getting more and more stupid thanks to all the stupidity they watch on TV, in America people dont read books anymore, they dont even read newspapers, no wonder they are getting more and more stupid. A disturbing fact is that IQ-levels in the most advanced nations in the world started to drop in the mid-ninties, for the first time in history, as long as it has been measuered IQ-levels has risen and risen, untill now. Where will this trend leave us ? Who is going to make the great inventions in the future ? The only ones who will benefit from a more stupid population are the rulers because stupid people are so easy to manipulate. The problem with mediocrity is that its celebrated. America has been at war with science and the intellecuals since the days of Ronald Reagan. The general public getting more and more stupid thanks to all the stupidity they watch on TV, in America people dont read books anymore, they dont even read newspapers, no wonder they are getting more and more stupid.

A disturbing fact is that IQ-levels in the most advanced nations in the world started to drop in the mid-ninties, for the first time in history, as long as it has been measuered IQ-levels has risen and risen, untill now. Where will this trend leave us ? Who is going to make the great inventions in the future ? The only ones who will benefit from a more stupid population are the rulers because stupid people are so easy to manipulate.

]]> By: Rose http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2009/01/09/the-law-of-jante-2/comment-page-1/#comment-106721 Rose Tue, 13 Jan 2009 02:36:25 +0000 http://paulocoelhoblog.com/?p=7332#comment-106721 Hi Jessica, Thanks for your kinds words, but about what I said involving Jesus; I was merely repeating what Paulo said during an interview on Dutch TV I'd watched that evening. But yes, I totally agree with him as well and his view on this was a real eyeopener for me. Suffering is not the ultimate road to insight/enlightment. But just to make it clear; it wasn't my original idea, but Paulo's;-) Love, Rose Hi Jessica,

Thanks for your kinds words, but about what I said involving Jesus; I was merely repeating what Paulo said during an interview on Dutch TV I’d watched that evening.
But yes, I totally agree with him as well and his view on this was a real eyeopener for me. Suffering is not the ultimate road to insight/enlightment.

But just to make it clear; it wasn’t my original idea, but Paulo’s;-)

Love,

Rose

]]> By: grete http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2009/01/09/the-law-of-jante-2/comment-page-1/#comment-106321 grete Mon, 12 Jan 2009 20:25:44 +0000 http://paulocoelhoblog.com/?p=7332#comment-106321 Feeling almost as good, reading the letter - and all the comments -, as I did the night of Obama's victory. The feeling of hope, and now; knowing you are not alone. Thanks to all! Let us spread the word. Grete. In Nebraska, U.S.A. "Passive Agressivness" is not considered a personality disorder- as it is in DSM # ---- (A medical reference book - the diagnostic "Bible" in mental health. ) That is on way one copes in order to follow the Jante Law? Feeling almost as good, reading the letter – and all the comments -, as I did the night of Obama’s victory. The feeling of hope, and now; knowing you are not alone. Thanks to all!

Let us spread the word.

Grete.

In Nebraska, U.S.A. “Passive Agressivness” is not considered a personality disorder- as it is in DSM # —- (A medical reference book – the diagnostic “Bible” in mental health. ) That is on way one copes in order to follow the Jante Law?

]]> By: SIDO66 http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2009/01/09/the-law-of-jante-2/comment-page-1/#comment-105391 SIDO66 Mon, 12 Jan 2009 10:57:28 +0000 http://paulocoelhoblog.com/?p=7332#comment-105391 brigit, Every grain of sand IS the desert and make its beauty We are, we form a group, and together we make only ONE chaque grain de sable forme le désert et en fait sa beauté nous sommes , nous formons un ensemble , et c'est ensemble que nous ne faisons qu'UN brigit,

Every grain of sand IS the desert and make its beauty

We are,

we form a group, and together we make only ONE

chaque grain de sable forme le désert et en fait sa beauté

nous sommes ,

nous formons un ensemble , et c’est ensemble que nous ne faisons qu’UN

]]> By: Kathleen http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2009/01/09/the-law-of-jante-2/comment-page-1/#comment-105222 Kathleen Mon, 12 Jan 2009 07:55:24 +0000 http://paulocoelhoblog.com/?p=7332#comment-105222 Brilliant! My met hate is envy. People need not envy, rather admire and learn from others who can teach them something. I don't know whether I agree that the war in Iraq was pointless. Saddam Hussein that psycho and his sons are gone, and things are being rebuilt. Kathleen xx Brilliant! My met hate is envy. People need not envy, rather admire and learn from others who can teach them something.

I don’t know whether I agree that the war in Iraq was pointless. Saddam Hussein that psycho and his sons are gone, and things are being rebuilt.

Kathleen xx

]]> By: liliane http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2009/01/09/the-law-of-jante-2/comment-page-1/#comment-105211 liliane Mon, 12 Jan 2009 07:48:55 +0000 http://paulocoelhoblog.com/?p=7332#comment-105211 agent provocateur - I like that agent provocateur – I like that

]]> By: lynne http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2009/01/09/the-law-of-jante-2/comment-page-1/#comment-105182 lynne Mon, 12 Jan 2009 07:06:51 +0000 http://paulocoelhoblog.com/?p=7332#comment-105182 I agree with you Jessica, the anti-law needs to be published, and celebrated too.... (~: Lynne I agree with you Jessica, the anti-law needs to be published, and celebrated too…. (~: Lynne

]]> By: Are http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2009/01/09/the-law-of-jante-2/comment-page-1/#comment-105151 Are Mon, 12 Jan 2009 06:08:38 +0000 http://paulocoelhoblog.com/?p=7332#comment-105151 Nice that you had the oppertunety to meet the prinsess and the husband. Nice warm people with big hearts to all humans and mother earth. She is able to talks to the angels, witch is great. The link between our creator and humans. We all have somethink to learn, if we stop learning we are given up and accepting the law and becomming in injustice. Love Are Nice that you had the oppertunety to meet the prinsess and the husband. Nice warm people with big hearts to all humans and mother earth. She is able to talks to the angels, witch is great. The link between our creator and humans. We all have somethink to learn, if we stop learning we are given up and accepting the law and becomming in injustice. Love Are

]]> By: maria tonidou http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2009/01/09/the-law-of-jante-2/comment-page-1/#comment-105031 maria tonidou Mon, 12 Jan 2009 02:57:24 +0000 http://paulocoelhoblog.com/?p=7332#comment-105031 dear paulo, i had a similar conversation with a friend of mine this past week..I explained to him, that i strongly feel that mediocrity and the ones who represent it, are the ones who rule in every domain..They are the ones who feel the urge to be jealous, to be protective of their false empires, to prevent the light from shining, to create a state of fear around them..Because they are mediocre, they know it, and they are more scared than the ones who are trying to scare...And that mediocrity is in my opinion an expression of evil...Far more dangerous than any other...The thing is that the more they are trying to prevent the light the more i feel the light will become stronger and blinding...This is a trap they aren t aware of...The season has changed...There is a new era coming...The more the think they have power on their hands, the more they will be fought until there will be noplce for the useless anymore, for it is the useless that has brought the world into such a dead end............. Have a nice week and thank you for the inspiring article... dear paulo,
i had a similar conversation with a friend of mine this past week..I explained to him, that i strongly feel that mediocrity and the ones who represent it, are the ones who rule in every domain..They are the ones who feel the urge to be jealous, to be protective of their false empires, to prevent the light from shining, to create a state of fear around them..Because they are mediocre, they know it, and they are more scared than the ones who are trying to scare…And that mediocrity is in my opinion an expression of evil…Far more dangerous than any other…The thing is that the more they are trying to prevent the light the more i feel the light will become stronger and blinding…This is a trap they aren t aware of…The season has changed…There is a new era coming…The more the think they have power on their hands, the more they will be fought until there will be noplce for the useless anymore, for it is the useless that has brought the world into such a dead end………….
Have a nice week and thank you for the inspiring article…

]]> By: Rosa Ileana http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2009/01/09/the-law-of-jante-2/comment-page-1/#comment-104732 Rosa Ileana Sun, 11 Jan 2009 15:34:37 +0000 http://paulocoelhoblog.com/?p=7332#comment-104732 Quiero ser una persona ganadora y que todos los seamos... Quiero ser una persona ganadora y que todos los seamos…

]]> By: Therese http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2009/01/09/the-law-of-jante-2/comment-page-1/#comment-104652 Therese Sun, 11 Jan 2009 12:19:21 +0000 http://paulocoelhoblog.com/?p=7332#comment-104652 I really agree that people should stand up for the fact that they are great. They should be proud of their skills and for who they are. But also there are people who tells everyone how great they are - in a way that means; I'm far better than you are! And you're worth nothing... My reflection about the Jante Law - which I know well as I am Swedish - is that it came up to prevent the risk of one person to show disrespect to other people, so that people could deal with that person by having arguments against his behavior. To show a way of humility. Unfortuneatly "the law" went in a bad direction and causes that people wont allow themself to develope. That's my thoughts. Your books are super, Mr Coelho, they are poetry! I really agree that people should stand up for the fact that they are great. They should be proud of their skills and for who they are.

But also there are people who tells everyone how great they are – in a way that means; I’m far better than you are! And you’re worth nothing…

My reflection about the Jante Law – which I know well as I am Swedish – is that it came up to prevent the risk of one person to show disrespect to other people, so that people could deal with that person by having arguments against his behavior. To show a way of humility.

Unfortuneatly “the law” went in a bad direction and causes that people wont allow themself to develope.

That’s my thoughts.

Your books are super, Mr Coelho, they are poetry!

]]> By: links for 2009-01-10 at DeStructUred Blog http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2009/01/09/the-law-of-jante-2/comment-page-1/#comment-104361 links for 2009-01-10 at DeStructUred Blog Sun, 11 Jan 2009 02:01:46 +0000 http://paulocoelhoblog.com/?p=7332#comment-104361 [...] The Law of Jante at Paulo Coelho’s Blog (tags: Life philosophy law) [...] [...] The Law of Jante at Paulo Coelho’s Blog (tags: Life philosophy law) [...]

]]> By: luce http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2009/01/09/the-law-of-jante-2/comment-page-1/#comment-104192 luce Sat, 10 Jan 2009 19:46:39 +0000 http://paulocoelhoblog.com/?p=7332#comment-104192 Dear Paulo, Whole my life I was going against current, one way or other, in daily life, in filosophy of life, religion, interests etc...and never gave up, but I can tell you it is exhausting! Exactly today, for no special reason I feel tired of fighting it, this what you call "Jante Law", and I am glad I opened your blog though I just wanted to sleep off this tiredness of my mind. Thank you for reminding us of this and helping us fight mediocrity ! Love Luce Dear Paulo,

Whole my life I was going against current, one way or other, in daily life, in filosophy of life, religion, interests etc…and never gave up, but I can tell you it is exhausting!

Exactly today, for no special reason I feel tired of fighting it, this what you call “Jante Law”, and I am glad I opened your blog though I just wanted to sleep off this tiredness of my mind.

Thank you for reminding us of this and helping us fight mediocrity !

Love
Luce

]]> By: Jack http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2009/01/09/the-law-of-jante-2/comment-page-1/#comment-104102 Jack Sat, 10 Jan 2009 15:09:54 +0000 http://paulocoelhoblog.com/?p=7332#comment-104102 Paulo, I hadn't read this "law" specifically until now, but I sure have experienced it in life. As a teacher and as an artist I have, and do, see it all of the time (Wikipedia has an informative article on this under Jante Law). I see this daily in the classroom when students don't want to learn and refuse to allow teachers to pass on knowledge to themselves and others in the class because they do not to want allow this "law" to be broken. It relates to another "law" that operates in life. That is the law of failure. If I don't succeed, it is because I didn't try ... I could have succeeded if I had tried, but I can't be blamed for failure because I didn't try; and don't try to make me be better or take the chance of failure. It is hard to face that chance/challenge for many. Life so often teaches them that if they are the nail that sticks out of the board, they will be hammered down. Too many give up early in life and join the already hammered nails rather than stand out and take the chance that difference might engender; despite the chance that they might achieve something good, or even great in the effort. It's just too scary out there where everyone can see you and your mistakes. Therein is the root of the almost universal attacks on those who do achieve. We see it everyday in the news. The rising actor/singer/writer who is lauded by the press on their way to the top of the mountain and then constantly hammered by the same press once they reach the heights. I am often reminded of Ayn Rands "Atlas Shrugged" and "The Fountainhead" when I see this, and have to deal with it in my own life. I takes a lot to swim against a "rip tide" and many drown. Only those willing to challenge the herd and awim sideways get out of the grip of the tide and survive. The cost is high in many ways, but the constant fight against the tide is even more costly to ones soul. Maybe, this is why some Scandinavian societies have their homogeneity, but also often have such high suicide rates. God bless all of those, who like you, continue to fight the "Jante Law" and try to make life a little better each day for themselves and so many others. Paulo,
I hadn’t read this “law” specifically until now, but I sure have experienced it in life. As a teacher and as an artist I have, and do, see it all of the time (Wikipedia has an informative article on this under Jante Law).
I see this daily in the classroom when students don’t want to learn and refuse to allow teachers to pass on knowledge to themselves and others in the class because they do not to want allow this “law” to be broken. It relates to another “law” that operates in life. That is the law of failure. If I don’t succeed, it is because I didn’t try … I could have succeeded if I had tried, but I can’t be blamed for failure because I didn’t try; and don’t try to make me be better or take the chance of failure. It is hard to face that chance/challenge for many. Life so often teaches them that if they are the nail that sticks out of the board, they will be hammered down. Too many give up early in life and join the already hammered nails rather than stand out and take the chance that difference might engender; despite the chance that they might achieve something good, or even great in the effort. It’s just too scary out there where everyone can see you and your mistakes.
Therein is the root of the almost universal attacks on those who do achieve. We see it everyday in the news. The rising actor/singer/writer who is lauded by the press on their way to the top of the mountain and then constantly hammered by the same press once they reach the heights. I am often reminded of Ayn Rands “Atlas Shrugged” and “The Fountainhead” when I see this, and have to deal with it in my own life. I takes a lot to swim against a “rip tide” and many drown. Only those willing to challenge the herd and awim sideways get out of the grip of the tide and survive. The cost is high in many ways, but the constant fight against the tide is even more costly to ones soul.
Maybe, this is why some Scandinavian societies have their homogeneity, but also often have such high suicide rates.
God bless all of those, who like you, continue to fight the “Jante Law” and try to make life a little better each day for themselves and so many others.

]]> By: Maja http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2009/01/09/the-law-of-jante-2/comment-page-1/#comment-104062 Maja Sat, 10 Jan 2009 14:21:55 +0000 http://paulocoelhoblog.com/?p=7332#comment-104062 when the nazi's came for the communists I said nothing I never was a communist When they locked up the social democrats I said nothing I was never a socialist When they came for the trade unionists I didn't protest I wasn't a member of the union When they came for the Jews I didn't protest I was never jewish When they came for me No one was left to protest This german poem is so true. and it shows what the "laws of jante" does to a person. Don't rebel-don't fight. stick to the safe and secure. don't get to far out of line. do not speak your mind and if you do, don't speak to loud. mind your own business. But in the end it's a sad life. and many people here in scandinavia doesn't understand that IF YOU STAND FOR NOTHING YOU'LL FALL FOR EVERYTHING.. unfortunately theese "laws" are something which is planted in our society but nobody will admit to be living by them, but everybody somewhat does. when the nazi’s came for the communists

I said nothing

I never was a communist

When they locked up the social democrats

I said nothing

I was never a socialist

When they came for the trade unionists

I didn’t protest

I wasn’t a member of the union

When they came for the Jews

I didn’t protest

I was never jewish

When they came for me

No one was left to protest

This german poem is so true. and it shows what the “laws of jante” does to a person. Don’t rebel-don’t fight. stick to the safe and secure. don’t get to far out of line. do not speak your mind and if you do, don’t speak to loud. mind your own business.
But in the end it’s a sad life. and many people here in scandinavia doesn’t understand that IF YOU STAND FOR NOTHING YOU’LL FALL FOR EVERYTHING.. unfortunately theese “laws” are something which is planted in our society but nobody will admit to be living by them, but everybody somewhat does.

]]> By: Sefer JAN http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2009/01/09/the-law-of-jante-2/comment-page-1/#comment-103832 Sefer JAN Sat, 10 Jan 2009 11:37:50 +0000 http://paulocoelhoblog.com/?p=7332#comment-103832 Every human being worths much more than others give for him. In the story of Joseph it is symblized in the part where Joseph was sold for cheap in bazaar of slaves. PS: As it is written in Quran. Every human being worths much more than others give for him. In the story of Joseph it is symblized in the part where Joseph was sold for cheap in bazaar of slaves.

PS: As it is written in Quran.

]]> By: jeeva http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2009/01/09/the-law-of-jante-2/comment-page-1/#comment-103821 jeeva Sat, 10 Jan 2009 11:31:39 +0000 http://paulocoelhoblog.com/?p=7332#comment-103821 Law of Jante, good to know what to call the phenomenon finally. Thanks Paulo, but at this point, it feels best when you said "at the end you will win". Some call it faith some say confidence, whatever it is, thank you. Law of Jante, good to know what to call the phenomenon finally. Thanks Paulo, but at this point, it feels best when you said “at the end you will win”. Some call it faith some say confidence, whatever it is, thank you.

]]> By: THELMA http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2009/01/09/the-law-of-jante-2/comment-page-1/#comment-103762 THELMA Sat, 10 Jan 2009 11:02:31 +0000 http://paulocoelhoblog.com/?p=7332#comment-103762 Definition There are ten different rules in the law, but they are all variations on a single theme and are usually referred to as a homogeneous unit: Don't think you're anyone special or that you're better than us. The ten rules are:[2] Don't think you are anything. (Du skal ikke tro du er noget.) Don't think you are as good as us. (Du skal ikke tro du er lige så meget som os.) Don't think you are smarter than us. (Du skal ikke tro du er klogere end os.) Don't fancy yourself better than us. (Du skal ikke bilde dig ind du er bedre end os.) Don't think you know more than us. (Du skal ikke tro du ved mere end os.) Don't think you are greater than us. (Du skal ikke tro du er mere end os.) Don't think you are good for anything. (Du skal ikke tro du dur til noget.) Don't laugh at us. (Du skal ikke le ad os.) Don't think that anyone cares about you. (Du skal ikke tro nogen bryder sig om dig.) Don't think you can teach us anything. (Du skal ikke tro, at du kan lære os noget.) In the book, those Janters who transgress this unwritten "law" are regarded with suspicion and some hostility, as it goes against communal desire in the town, which is to preserve social stability and uniformity.[3] Later in his book, Sandemose adds an 11th rule, formulated as a question: 11. You think I don't know anything about you? (Du tror måske ikke jeg ved noget om dig?)[3] This is the threat of punishment—that other Janters will know something about those who transgress, which can be used to punish them. Emphasis can be either on know or on you, or both. It has to be said that the general understanding of the law was an essential and fully integrated part of the Danish and Norwegian societies long before it was ever written down.[4] Sandemose, however, explicitly said that he had seen the Jante law in operation in all countries he had been in. The rules are not only applied outwards; Danes apply the rules equally towards themselves. This means that the rules of the Jante Law become a sort of social stabilizer where one does not wish to be either too high above or too far below others socially and economically.[5] -------------------------------------------------------------------- I had to find in the wise Google and understand really this 'unwritten Law'. It is, as it is stated, a social stabilizer for .... mediocrity!! It is the cowards' desire to maintain the 'status quo'. It is the 'weapons' society uses to break the .. wings and morale of the 'free' thinkers and souls. It is the tombstone of creative and imaginative thoughts and souls. It is the desire to stop evolution. BUT, we are all free and every second, we are ..creating the Cosmos with our ..Father on Heaven, the Demiourgos. Let His Will be done. LOVE, THELMA Definition
There are ten different rules in the law, but they are all variations on a single theme and are usually referred to as a homogeneous unit: Don’t think you’re anyone special or that you’re better than us.

The ten rules are:[2]

Don’t think you are anything. (Du skal ikke tro du er noget.)
Don’t think you are as good as us. (Du skal ikke tro du er lige så meget som os.)
Don’t think you are smarter than us. (Du skal ikke tro du er klogere end os.)
Don’t fancy yourself better than us. (Du skal ikke bilde dig ind du er bedre end os.)
Don’t think you know more than us. (Du skal ikke tro du ved mere end os.)
Don’t think you are greater than us. (Du skal ikke tro du er mere end os.)
Don’t think you are good for anything. (Du skal ikke tro du dur til noget.)
Don’t laugh at us. (Du skal ikke le ad os.)
Don’t think that anyone cares about you. (Du skal ikke tro nogen bryder sig om dig.)
Don’t think you can teach us anything. (Du skal ikke tro, at du kan lære os noget.)
In the book, those Janters who transgress this unwritten “law” are regarded with suspicion and some hostility, as it goes against communal desire in the town, which is to preserve social stability and uniformity.[3]

Later in his book, Sandemose adds an 11th rule, formulated as a question:

11. You think I don’t know anything about you? (Du tror måske ikke jeg ved noget om dig?)[3]

This is the threat of punishment—that other Janters will know something about those who transgress, which can be used to punish them. Emphasis can be either on know or on you, or both.

It has to be said that the general understanding of the law was an essential and fully integrated part of the Danish and Norwegian societies long before it was ever written down.[4] Sandemose, however, explicitly said that he had seen the Jante law in operation in all countries he had been in.

The rules are not only applied outwards; Danes apply the rules equally towards themselves. This means that the rules of the Jante Law become a sort of social stabilizer where one does not wish to be either too high above or too far below others socially and economically.[5]
——————————————————————–

I had to find in the wise Google and understand really this ‘unwritten Law’. It is, as it is stated, a social stabilizer for …. mediocrity!! It is the cowards’ desire to maintain the ‘status quo’. It is the ‘weapons’ society uses to break the .. wings and morale of the ‘free’ thinkers and souls. It is the tombstone of creative and imaginative thoughts and souls.
It is the desire to stop evolution.
BUT, we are all free and every second, we are ..creating the Cosmos with our ..Father on Heaven, the Demiourgos. Let His Will be done.
LOVE,
THELMA

]]> By: Gina http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2009/01/09/the-law-of-jante-2/comment-page-1/#comment-103671 Gina Sat, 10 Jan 2009 08:33:18 +0000 http://paulocoelhoblog.com/?p=7332#comment-103671 One gift for you all, and special for Paulo Coelho ;-) http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=8SNmPzKK-70 One gift for you all, and special for Paulo Coelho ;-)
http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=8SNmPzKK-70

]]> By: rosa de los vientos http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2009/01/09/the-law-of-jante-2/comment-page-1/#comment-103392 rosa de los vientos Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:05:36 +0000 http://paulocoelhoblog.com/?p=7332#comment-103392 Bravo por la Anti Ley de Jante. Gracias Paulo. Bravo por la Anti Ley de Jante.
Gracias Paulo.

]]> By: orly http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2009/01/09/the-law-of-jante-2/comment-page-1/#comment-103322 orly Fri, 09 Jan 2009 22:55:36 +0000 http://paulocoelhoblog.com/?p=7332#comment-103322 after reading the post about the law of Jante it makes me feel and see how many human beeing around us r jelous, selfish, cant see others success, they cant see others happiness, and also the way people just dont move a finger when events, wars, dictatura, is coming up, kind of apathy or indifference, and seeing poverty in parts of the world, and i wonder how in which way we should teach society this kind of behaviour, and i still believe that talking and shawing exsample, doing, in schools,,,,that apathy is not a solution!!! teaching from youth that we should be happy the way we r, we can try to change our destiny with our belief, but learning to respect others and learn to love ur friend the way u love ur self can do a bit of different. after reading the post about the law of Jante it makes me feel and see how many human beeing around us r jelous, selfish, cant see others success, they cant see others happiness, and also the way people just dont move a finger when events, wars, dictatura, is coming up, kind of apathy or indifference, and seeing poverty in parts of the world, and i wonder how in which way we should teach society this kind of behaviour,
and i still believe that talking and shawing exsample, doing, in schools,,,,that apathy is not a solution!!!
teaching from youth that we should be happy the way we r, we can try to change our destiny with our belief, but learning to respect others and learn to love ur friend the way u love ur self can do a bit of different.

]]> By: Valentin http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2009/01/09/the-law-of-jante-2/comment-page-1/#comment-103301 Valentin Fri, 09 Jan 2009 22:40:11 +0000 http://paulocoelhoblog.com/?p=7332#comment-103301 Well, I'd like to thank you for putting a name onto this law anyone of us can see at work every day. But what I really like is your Anti-Law. I'm deeply convinced our presence on Earth is very important and that's here and now we should do what we are supposed to do, elevating our "inner light" and readying it for the next ones. Let's stop waiting for the promised land and let's start building it here and now! Well, I’d like to thank you for putting a name onto this law anyone of us can see at work every day. But what I really like is your Anti-Law. I’m deeply convinced our presence on Earth is very important and that’s here and now we should do what we are supposed to do, elevating our “inner light” and readying it for the next ones. Let’s stop waiting for the promised land and let’s start building it here and now!

]]> By: Brigit http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2009/01/09/the-law-of-jante-2/comment-page-1/#comment-103281 Brigit Fri, 09 Jan 2009 22:35:01 +0000 http://paulocoelhoblog.com/?p=7332#comment-103281 The minute we are conceived we have an impact on the two people who have conceived us and from when we are born we have an impact on the planet. We consume the planet'ss food, add to its trash with the amount of diappers we use and effect the people closest to us, who in turn effect others. We don't have a choice about having an effect on this planet, we do have a choice as to having a negative or a positive one. I think our life purpose is to make that effect a positive one. With that in mind how can one conform to the Law of Jante? Mediocracy stifles, ingenuity and creativity, in fear of being different. Does this law work? Obviously not when you look at the class differences, the have and have nots, the reasons for war, and the financial crises the world is in. As much as each individual is only "one grain of sand," there are small grains of sand and larger grains of sand. Each individual has something different to offer the planetary life force that we are all part of. The minute we are conceived we have an impact on the two people who have conceived us and from when we are born we have an impact on the planet. We consume the planet’ss food, add to its trash with the amount of diappers we use and effect the people closest to us, who in turn effect others. We don’t have a choice about having an effect on this planet, we do have a choice as to having a negative or a positive one. I think our life purpose is to make that effect a positive one. With that in mind how can one conform to the Law of Jante? Mediocracy stifles, ingenuity and creativity, in fear of being different. Does this law work? Obviously not when you look at the class differences, the have and have nots, the reasons for war, and the financial crises the world is in. As much as each individual is only “one grain of sand,” there are small grains of sand and larger grains of sand. Each individual has something different to offer the planetary life force that we are all part of.

]]> By: Rose http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2009/01/09/the-law-of-jante-2/comment-page-1/#comment-103261 Rose Fri, 09 Jan 2009 22:23:24 +0000 http://paulocoelhoblog.com/?p=7332#comment-103261 Oops, my laptop leads his own life. I was not finished with my post yet...:-) Your view that Jesus led a joyfull life and that the suffering was only a small part of it. I absolutely agree. 33 years of joy and 3 days of suffering. The church has chosen to focus on that. Why? Well, hopefully that will change one day. Maybe that will be the day when Jesus will be welcome on earth again. ;-) Anyway, great interview. That hapiness was invented as a concept was also new for me, but it makes perfect sense. I love learning new things. Thanks for letting so many people know that it's okay to be okay to be different. To be your own crazy self. I'm still busy accepting myself, but I'll get there. Oops, my laptop leads his own life. I was not finished with my post yet…:-)

Your view that Jesus led a joyfull life and that the suffering was only a small part of it. I absolutely agree. 33 years of joy and 3 days of suffering. The church has chosen to focus on that. Why?

Well, hopefully that will change one day. Maybe that will be the day when Jesus will be welcome on earth again. ;-)
Anyway, great interview. That hapiness was invented as a concept was also new for me, but it makes perfect sense. I love learning new things. Thanks for letting so many people know that it’s okay to be okay to be different. To be your own crazy self. I’m still busy accepting myself, but I’ll get there.

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