It is hard to find anyone in any of the Scandinavian countries who does not know this law. Although the law exists since the beginning of civilization, it was only officially declared in 1933 by writer Aksel Sandemose in the novel “A refugee goes beyond limits.”
The sad truth is that the Law of Jante is a rule applied in every country in the world, despite the fact that Brazilians say that “this only happens here,” and the French claim that “unfortunately, that’s how it is in our country.” Now, the reader must be annoyed because he/she read two paragraphs and still does not know what the Law of Jante is all about, so I’ll try to explain it here briefly in my own words:
“You aren’t worth a thing, nobody is interested in what you think, mediocrity and anonymity are your best bet. If you act this way, you will never have any big problems in life.”
The complete Law of Jante (thank you Lars!)
Don’t think you’re something
Don’t think you are worth the same as us
Don’t think you’re smarter than us
Don’t think you’re better than us
Don’t think you’re wiser than us
Don’t think you’re more than us
Don’t think you’re good at anything
Don’t laugh at us
Don’t think anyone care about you
Don’t think you have anything to teach us
The Law of Jante focuses on the feeling of “power. And this law is accountable for the world being manipulated in all possible manners by people who have no fear of what the others say and end up practicing the evil they desire. We see a huge abyss between the rich and the poor countries of the world, social injustice on all sides, unbridled violence, people being forced to give up their dreams because of unfair and cowardly attacks.
Mediocrity may be comfortable, up to the day that tragedy knocks at the door and people start to wonder: “but why did nobody say anything, if everybody could see that this was going to happen?”
Simple: nobody said anything because the others did not say anything either.
So in order to prevent things from growing any worse, maybe this is the right moment to write the anti-Law of Jante:
“You are worth far more than you think. Your work and presence on this Earth are important, even though you may not think so. Of course, thinking in this way, you might have many problems because you are breaking the Law of Jante – but don’t feel intimidated by them, go on living without fear and in the end you will win.”
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i see people unknowingly living these laws everyday…..the laws reinforced by TV, magazines and and media…..schools reinforce them, governments,, everyone of us has unwittingly reinforced them in some small way at some time in our lives….in some areas of my life I am still struggling with them, they can be insidious and like the onion skin we must peel off the layers to discover the law of love that waits within us
i think the other name of this law is extreme individuality if it s not an extreme egotism.
i m interested in what people think and i know that i m not alone. their opinion or judgement or thought or whatever it is may make me down but it can raise me up too, and sometimes it s mere something.
the law may help you gain success but is that the only worth it in the world?
hmm…maybe i make mistake in interpreting Jante.
all i know is everybody unique and different and people will always make a comparison. but we are always be the leader at last for ourselves, who make decision. i think better persons are those who do something useful not only for themselves but also for others.
An observation, dear Paulo:
This sentence “Don’t think you’re know more than us” is grammatically incorrect in English. It can not be “know” but “no”.
thank you, corrected
Wow… I’d never heard of the Jante ideologies before. I’ve experienced the hurt of false and mediocre anonymity before and even retaliated with it once ~ essentially worthless either way. Both the law and anti-law (moreso the latter, in my opinion) have merit depending upon the beholder. The arrogant person needs to understand that s/he is not better/stronger/smarter, etc. than others whereas the good in all of us can benefit from encouragement. So glad I subscribed :) Thank you and God bless!
BTW: That time was an anonymous retaliation, mind you; arguably mediocre but factual to my knowledge. Your point emphasizing ALL our importance, however varied, remains. P(e)ace.
i think the other name of this law is extreme egotism. I m interested to what people think. it may make me down but it can rise me up too, or sometimes it s mere something. why should i think myself less or higher than other ?
i agree and i support this, trouble is..many are using their voices to warn about what could come, and i see they are powerless to do anything to stop it…i already know i will not be one to say how did this happen, i will not be the one to say why did no one do anything…i will be the one to say, i saw this result, i saw this coming, and will be the one to say i understand folks did try to stop it and they were prevented, punished, harmed while speaking out and actively trying to prevent it…and this makes me sad…
THANKs
for bringing this up. I didn’t know that the Jante-law ‘lived’ outside Scandinavia! This made me think of some words I found at my Rosen-therapist yesterday:
‘FIRST THEY IGNORE YOU,
THEN THEY LAUGH AT YOU,
THEN THEY FIGHT YOU,
THEN YOU WIN.’ Mahatma Gandi
The law of Jante sounds like first degree oppression to me.
Thank you for this powerful simple truth. we have to struggle against this spiritual alienation. i added the beautiful writing of Gebran Khalil Gebran on Freedom ( extract of the Prophet )
And an orator said, “Speak to us of Freedom.”
And he answered:
At the city gate and by your fireside I have seen you prostrate yourself and worship your own freedom,
Even as slaves humble themselves before a tyrant and praise him though he slays them.
Ay, in the grove of the temple and in the shadow of the citadel I have seen the freest among you wear their freedom as a yoke and a handcuff.
And my heart bled within me; for you can only be free when even the desire of seeking freedom becomes a harness to you, and when you cease to speak of freedom as a goal and a fulfillment.
You shall be free indeed when your days are not without a care nor your nights without a want and a grief,
But rather when these things girdle your life and yet you rise above them naked and unbound.
And how shall you rise beyond your days and nights unless you break the chains which you at the dawn of your understanding have fastened around your noon hour?
In truth that which you call freedom is the strongest of these chains, though its links glitter in the sun and dazzle the eyes.
And what is it but fragments of your own self you would discard that you may become free?
If it is an unjust law you would abolish, that law was written with your own hand upon your own forehead.
You cannot erase it by burning your law books nor by washing the foreheads of your judges, though you pour the sea upon them.
And if it is a despot you would dethrone, see first that his throne erected within you is destroyed.
For how can a tyrant rule the free and the proud, but for a tyranny in their own freedom and a shame in their won pride?
And if it is a care you would cast off, that care has been chosen by you rather than imposed upon you.
And if it is a fear you would dispel, the seat of that fear is in your heart and not in the hand of the feared.
Verily all things move within your being in constant half embrace, the desired and the dreaded, the repugnant and the cherished, the pursued and that which you would escape.
These things move within you as lights and shadows in pairs that cling.
And when the shadow fades and is no more, the light that lingers becomes a shadow to another light.
And thus your freedom when it loses its fetters becomes itself the fetter of a greater freedom.
Khalil Gibran
I feel this is looking at life “black or white”, “left or right”, in short, to extreme….if you look at most Americans, raised with the Anti Jante version their whole life and how badly this affected them with a sense of entitlement that is not deserved. It does not have to be one way or another way, a mix of the two could be the right approach.
true ….
this story, for example, & those talking about mountains, are powerful tools. to detach from people’s opinions, to stay true to oneself, to keep courage, & to deal with fear.
<3
Osho has done a great job to eradicate this law from Indian subcontinent before 30 years and we can enjoy the fruits of what he has planted and nourished for years
This was pretty unoriginal. I think my teachers has done this atleast 5 times while I was in school… So, offcourse I agree that this social attitude is completly disgraceful, in Norway, or what so ever country that it might apply to. I don’t know if people outside scandinavia is behaving rather ignorant to this fact, and if it might help that a profiled person like Coehlo speak about the subject, but in Norway, even though fully aware of it beeing present every day, it is difficult to break out of it. I feel like a rebelious teen that no one takes seriously every time I atempt such a thing.
Nunca había escuchado de esta ley, que mas que ley suena a maldición. Condenando a sus creyentes a vivir como desalmados, sin pena ni gloria.
Desgraciadamente esa ley esta aplicada ahorita en mi ciudad y lo mas increible de todo esto, es que es un solo hombre quien mueve y mantiene a nuestra ciudad en desgracia. Y para acabar los seres humanos somos los pensantes y razonantes en el mundo que cosas no.
I have nothing to add. Just as you write it I feel it too. I argue for some time people have an unlimited potential. The problem is, nobody believes me. But that’s not my problem. Or? Now I have something added. Shame on me. Much love to you!
I wish you all a wonderful evening
Admiro la magia con la que escribe, a pesar de los millones que lo leen a leerlo parece que hablara directamente a cada uno. Hoy me habló a mi. Gracias!
Hi,
Thank you for this! The law of Jante is very commonly used in the Nordics, eespecially in Finland. I’ve born and lived my whole youth there The law of Jante around me. Especially it’s harshest form – jealousy and envy.
Even when I moved away to another country I got much of speech from relatives and friends that should I really move away and most likely I wouldn’t even live up my expectations and would just come back “tail between my legs” when I see the real world.
I’ve seen “the real world” for three years now, love it and I’m going to see more of it! :) The law of Jante can go where the sun doesn’t shine ;)
As a Dane, I have almost been raised by law of Jante, it’s an integrated part of the Danish way of life, but not in the same sense as Paulo mentions.
The Law of Jante is as follows:
Don’t think you’re something
Don’t think you are worth the same as us
Don’t think you’re smarter than us
Don’t think you’re better than us
Don’t think you’re know more than us
Don’t think you’re more than us
Don’t think you’re good at anything
Don’t laugh at us
Don’t think anyone care about you
Don’t think you have anything to teach us
This is actually a big disadvantage for Danes growing up, as we’re taught not to aspire to anything special. So there’s an anti-Jante movement in Denmark, trying to promote the following laws:
You ARE something
You are worth just as much as us, and just as little
You’re smarter than us, sometimes
You’re just as good as us
You know as much as us, just not the same
You’re not more than us, but no less
You’re good
Please laugh, even at me
We respect you, even if we don’t like you
You have something to teach us
I was also raised by your description of the Law of Jante, but my background is Chinese. A person can grow up feeling no worth in the family and in society. I am not sure if my parents are aware of what they have done. They think it is caring.
Cristo vino a romper esta ley y su muerte fue la confirmación de esta ley. “El que se mete a redentor termina crucificado” es otro modo de enunciarla. Esta ley está en el código genético y espiritual de la “masa”, qué palabra tan fea pero igual, casi nadie se considera masa, a muchos les gusta pretender que son salvadores mientras forman parte de la masa, muchos líderes juegan a formar parte de la masa, a ser los nuevos Jesucristos de una masa de nuevos Jesucristos salvadores de los oprimidos. ¿Cuáles oprimidos si todos se están auto-llamando salvadores? Desde mi punto de vista ellos son cumplidores de esta ley mientras que desde el punto de vista de ellos, yo lo soy. Yo prefiero usar otra ley, la enunció Jesucristo: “Por sus frutos los conoceréis”. Cuando una higuera se mostró sin frutos ante él no la quiso convencer de hacerlo mejor, la destryó con su palabra.
Here the italian translation…
Traduzione in lingua italiana per chi lo gradisce… Muita luz, Cris
E ‘difficile trovare qualcuno in uno dei paesi scandinavi che non conosca questa legge. Anche se la legge esiste fin dall’inizio della civiltà, è stata dichiarata ufficialmente solo nel 1933 dallo scrittore Aksel Sandemose nel suo romanzo “Un rifugiato va oltre i limiti”. La triste verità è che la Legge di Jante è una regola applicata in tutti i paesi del mondo, nonostante il fatto che i brasiliani dicono che “questo accade solo qui”, e che i francesi pretendono “che purtroppo, è così che accade nel nostro paese.” Ora, il lettore deve essere infastidito perché lui/ lei legge due paragrafi e non sa ancora cos´è la Legge di Jante è tutto, quindi cercherò di spiegarlo qui brevemente con parole mie:
“Tu non vali niente, nessuno è interessato a quello che pensi, la mediocrità e l’anonimato sono la soluzione migliore. Se agite in questo modo, non avrai mai grossi problemi nella vita. ”
La legge di Jante si concentra sul sentimento di gelosia e invidia. Questo è uno dei suoi aspetti negativi, ma c’è qualcosa di molto più pericoloso. Questa legge è responsabile della manipolazione del mondo in tutti i modi possibili, da parte di persone che non hanno paura di ciò che gli altri dicono e finiscono per praticare il male che essi desiderano. Noi vediamo un abisso enorme tra ricchi e paesi poveri del mondo, l’ingiustizia sociale su tutti i lati, la violenza sfrenata, persone costrette a rinunciare ai propri sogni a causa di attacchi ingiusti e codardi.
La mediocrità può essere comoda, fino al giorno in cui la tragedia bussa alla porta e la gente inizia a chiedersi: “ma perché nessuno ha detto niente, se tutti potevano vedere che questo sarebbe accaduto” Semplice: nessuno ha detto nulla, perché gli altri non hanno detto niente.
Quindi, al fine di evitare che le cose possano peggiorare sempre, forse questo è il momento giusto per scrivere l’anti-Legge di Jante:
“Voi valete molto più di quanto si pensi. Il vostro lavoro e la presenza su questa Terra sono importanti, anche se tu non la pensi così. Naturalmente, pensando in questo modo, potresti avere molti problemi perché stai rompendo la Legge di Jante – ma non si sentirti intimidito da loro, continua a vivere senza paura e alla fine sarai vincente “.
Like tailor written to lift up my spirit and get me going.
Thank you, sir.
Warmest regards,
Ruby
“Just living is not enough, said the butterfly. One must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower.” Hans Christian Andersen…a medicre life may be easy, but oh! So boring!
LA VERDAD JAMAS HE TOMADO EN CUENTA LA LEY DE JANTE Y AHORA QUE LA CONOZCO NUNCA LA TOMARE YA QUE SIENTO QUE TODOS LOS SERES HUMANOS SOMOS IMPORTANTES Y LO QUE PENSAMOS TAMBIEN LO ES, NUNCA DEBEMOS PERMITIR QUE ANTE NUESTROS OJOS SE COMETAN ATROPELLOS NI QUEDARNOS CALLADOS ANTE LA DESIGUALDAD NI CREER QUE NO VALEN NUESTROS REQUERIMIENTOS NI NUESTROS SENTIMIENTOS POR EL CONTRARIO DEBEMOS DEJAR SENTADO QUE MIENTRAS OBREMOS CON BUENA VOLUNTAD Y RESPETANDO LOS UNOS A LOS OTROS ESTO LE AGRADARA A DIOS Y YA CON ESO TENDREMOS FUERZAS PARA LLEVARLO A CABO
I was speaking to my brother just last night back home in Canada via skype…He has been a hockey fanatic since he was a child, although I never really followed it, part of the conversation revolved around how the Montreal Canadians are doing….which brings to an extraordinary player and hockey legend who followed the law of anti-Jante ( Hope I do him justice and demonstrate how one person can make a difference when they believe they are of value).
Wayne Gretzky,
He started playing hockey in small town in Ontario, Canada at the age of three. He immediately developed a passion so strong for the sport. His mom had trouble getting him to come inside for supper. As he got older, hockey was his life, he played every chance he got. His dream was to play in the National Hockey League (NHL). Although he made his way through several teams, there were 2 things that made people believe Wayne was never going to make it in the NHL. Wayne’s weaknesses were that he did not have the speed that most considered crucial to be in the NHL and his size, Wayne had a “skippy” pysique, compared to other players, he was too small and did not have the strength. You see, back in aprx. the 80″s, fighting during a game was practically part of the game. Given Wayne’s size and that he was not strong, he would never be able to fight the other players. So, he did not have the speed nor the strength, 2 very important abilities that were evaluated to be considered in the NHL.
Wayne did not get intimidated by these remarks, his passion was too strong, instead, he focused on strengthening his strength, bringing to value the one thing that no other player had. He had an amazing perception of the vision of the game. He was able to anticipate every play, know exactly where the puck was going and he would be there…not where the puck was, but, where it was going…So, he used his mind, it was a unique talent…Although, he practiced, practiced, practiced…his speed was at a mediocre level..this was not what was going to make him “the great one”….Of course it was not easy, he proved what he had to offer to hockey…It led him to joining the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL…what is even more remarkable, is that Wayne’s talent and strategies brought out the best in his team mates. He was able to enhance each one of his team mates strengths and influence his strategies on the ice. He gave numerous speeches about how he felt about fighting…on the ice, other teams tried to stop him by focusing on his weakness and size…in working as a team, his team mate Dave Semenko followed Wayne on the ice and fought off anyone who tried to get in his way….The Oilers went on to win several Stanley Cups in a row…A few years later, Wayne joined the Los Angeles team…That year, although Wayne was no longer with the Oilers, everyone knew in their hearts that the Oilers would take the Cup home again. Why? Wayne had left his legacy in this team, he never played for his fame, he was involved in the team and gave them his knowledge, they all had become great players thanks to his contribution…The Oilers won the Cup that year as well!!!
Wayne Gretzky has changed the game of hockey to this day and fighting is a lot more regulated!
Just one wonderful example of an extraordinary person who did not comform to the “rules”. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for this story.
I am from Edmonton and this story makes me feel proud !! thank you for sharing.
wow i never knew this law till now(the term per se) LOL..BUT I can feel this law present in the society that I’m living and even within myself…most of the time I live &work in a mediocre way:( which is so sad. BUTits very risky to bet what you currently have and I have the fear that things would slip away into my hands if I take risks ..so I settle down on what is presented by life.. Dear God i hope i can live and “don’t feel intimidated by others, go on living without fear and in the end you will win.”.
love lots
nice
I was once told I was a warrior for injustice because I felt and acted strongly to peoples rights to live a life God gave them. I was taken aback to be accepted so easily as a warrior because I felt so alone in my feelings on this and of course when you rock the boat about those others consider unworthy you become a trouble maker and unworthy yourself. This concept of unworthiness is so overwhelming yet if one person chooses to support one other person we can become two ,then four ,and on and on. Narcissists win all the time and evil rules them. Thank God, he walks among us with his legions of light workers ,angels and Saints.Blessings and thank you Paulo .
Muchas gracias Paulo por este empujón y aliento que nos brindas todos los días.
Cada uno debe poner su granito de arena.
Agrego unas palabras de otro escritor que me llegaron mientras leia esta ley atroz.
“El amor ahuyenta al miedo y recíprocamente, el miedo ahuyenta al amor. Y no solo al amor el miedo expulsa; también a la inteligencia, la bondad, todo pensamiento de belleza y verdad, y solo queda la desesperación muda; al final el miedo llega a expulsar del hombre la humanidad misma”. Aldux Huxley
Dios te bendiga Paulo, o mejor dicho, estoy seguro que te bendice todos los dias.
Un fuerte abrazo
Martin Luther King Jr said “Our lives begin to end the moment we become silent about things that matter.” Humility and compassion and a willingness to embrace understanding and growth can drive us to encourage communication with those with whom we are in relationsip – personally, in community, in the workplace, nationally and internationallly!
When we think life is about winning we think of it as an oponent and struggle against it… Think of it as a friend and walk hand in hand with it!
Love
PUES BIEN AL PARECER MUCHOS DE NOSOTROS VIVIMOS EN ESA LEY SIN DARNOS CUENTA Ley de Jante según P. Coelho “No vales nada, a nadie le interesa lo que piensas, la mediocridad y el anonimato son la mejor opción. Si usted actúa de esta manera, usted nunca tendrá grandes problemas en tu vida. ” AHORA BIEN A NOSOTROS NOS TOCA CAMBIAR ESA FORMA DE PENSAR Y ACTUAR ES HORA DE CAMBIAR esa LEY DE NUESTRA VIDA DE SEGUIR ADELANTE DE SER HUMANITARIOS DE SER CONDESCENDIENTES CON NOSOTROS Y CON LOS QUE NOS RODEAN NO QUEDARNOSCALLADOS ANTE LAS INJUSTICIAS PORQUE EL DIA DE MAÑANA PODEMOS SER NOSOTROS LOS QUE ESTEMOS SIENDO HUMILLADOS O MALTRATADOS Y NADIE VA A HACER NADA POR EL SIMPLE HECHO DE QUE NADIE HACE NADA POR OTROS Y SI NO LO HACEN YO TAMPOCO…….AMIGOS ES HORA DE CAMBIAR TAL COMO LO DICE MI QUERIDO P. Coelho “Usted vale mucho más de lo que piensas. Su trabajo y la presencia en esta tierra son importantes, aunque no lo creas. Por supuesto, pensando que de esta manera, podría tener muchos problemas porque usted está violando la Ley de Jante – pero no se sienten intimidados por ellos, seguir viviendo sin miedo y al final ud. va a ganar “.
Un ejemplo muy reciente de que sí vale la pena luchar contra la ley de Jante está en cómo muchos protestamos recientemente, en USA, cuando unos cuantos en el Congreso quisieron pasar leyes condenando y restrigiendo la libertad a distribuir contenidos por Internet.
Impressive!!!! Just I needed to be sure about what I need to do.
You gave my the sign I needed!!!
thanz!!!!
I have read all the books of paulo. Only 3 books namely alchemist,pilgrimage,eleven minutes I found preaching things which were not conflicting with the thoughts of all the other enlightened ancient saints. Also all your posts teach only one thng, that is go opposite. just go opposite to what anybody says regardless of the fact the thing may be right for u. I thnk that is because you have experienced so much shocks in life, so ur now a kind of became an anti society. so u always preach to step into battlefield, even if it is not neccesary. The jante’s law is absolutely true and I think every1 must follow it. Anyone who follows Jante’s law is not settling for less, he is settling for peace. Why go into the middle of storm when u can avoid it. I don’t wanna prove that I m stronger, when the time demands I will show my strength
Mr. Coelho, has this law somehow contributed to the economic success of the Scandinavian countries, in your opinion? Or can their economic success be partly explained by that fact that this law is still implemented? If yes, then, maybe it is not that bad or at least useless to have it, once it makes people’s life a bit better in some way? Thank you so much for your time
Ah, perhaps this explains the ever growing flock of sheep that keep coming towards me as I struggle to move in the opposite direction, with so few at my side! To those who wish to follow this law of Jante please note:
Yes indeed, what a marvelous law! It brings out the very best one has in order to contend with the tide that seems ever at our bows in resistance to our unique paths! Rejoice! Without challenge there is no stretching. Without testing there is no measure. Without trying there is no failing, and without failing there is no learning.
Ever seen a sheep smile by the way? No? never? you mena never seen a smile? Well, just look up when I pass you by going in the opposite direction and you will see a smile across my heart and spirit and soul that will light both our paths.
Remember well, mediocrity is not spelt m a j o r i t y! We’ve just been duped into believing that by those who are envious and jealous of our latent inner freedom.
Mr. Paulo
I’m asking for permission to translate The law of Jante into Indonesian and will post it on my facebook page, so that I can share it with my Indonesian friends. :)
and about the law of Jante it self, I must say It’s very hard to break my self from it.
Our parents raised us with this Law. I think we sort of need some kind of ‘inception’ to change our way of thinking, like the movie :)
of course
But do “sheeple” know how to live without fear? Do they know that they would have to live in love, since love is just the absence of fear.
everyone should know it! ;)
Greetings,
I am a avid reader of your books. I am from New York city and presently in Rio de Janeiro for the next few days for work in Child Participation and advocacy. Will you host any book signings this week in Rio? Would be delighted to meet you!
Rachelle O.
I’ve always had a conflict between the Law of Jante and the anti-Law of Jante. When turned on me with some sides I followed the Law of Jante, when it did the opposite, I followed the anti-Law of Jante. I’m still confused
When life* turned on me with some…..
That law is made for breaking if you ask me ;-)
But breaking laws can be dangerous ….. but I will take a chance anyway … I cant abandon my heart <3
And I use my charm as a weapon *LOL*
Im not a zombie ….. Im human and I need to go where my heart lead me :-)
Love and light Jessica
i have been unknowingly practicing the Law of Jante all my life, until i could not do it anymore. My life fell apart as did i. I started going through piece by piece and on every single piece i said nothing, did nothing even at very traumatic events. I just tried to blend, be invisible and suppress who i really am. Now as i glue the pieces together, i work up the courage to start speaking up for myself. Apparently it is so difficult for one who practiced silence for so long. Thank you for this message Paolo, it came at a perfect time for me. i affirm the anti Jante law now every day.
ho letto della legge di Jante per la prima volta sul vostro libro,penso che andrebbe riletto più volte per la sua attualità.
Paulo Coelho está certíssimo… tenho convivido com alguns suecos (também imigrantes crescidos aqui) e eles respiram essa Lei de Jante. Eles confessaram que aprendem isso desde de pequenos, com amigos, família, escola… apesar disso não ser algo “oficial” na Suécia. Na minha opinião, essa Lei de Jante é uma lástima! É Um regime social comunista disfarçado, focado em manter essa “zona de conforto” dessa “bolha” por meio da inveja e da rejeição dos indivíduos que se destacam ou daqueles que verbalizam suas críticas.
At last someone wrote a very good comment about this law and it’s amazing how somw people still live according to this terrible law! It makes xenophobia even worse in Scandinavia!
Adoro Paulo Coelho.
J’ai appris ces derniers jours une nouvelle expression ,elle manque un peu d’élégance , il faudrait trouver l’équivalent féminin ; mais elle m’a tout de suite rappeler votre article . Je suis sûre que vous apprécierez le côté imagé :
“pas de couille , pas d’embrouille “.
Thank you for putting focus on the law of Jante!
I am from Norway and here this “law” is well-known, and it is shocking to experience how present this attitude still is in between people..,
When Sandemose wrote the law he said that the text gave a good picture of “mans inherent evilness and ability to push each other down”.
Personally I don’t believe that man is born this way, but see how many are shaped to act this way, especially in small communities like the town of Jante.
And many have tried to write Anti-laws of Jante before your good attempt here Paulo, like this link in Norwegian:
http://www.aune-johnsen.no/index_anti1.htm
Where it says.., about YOU!!:
- I am a unique human being!
- No-one is exactly like me!
- There is something about me other people like!
- I am a valuable person!
- I can give something to other people!
- My feeling of happiness comes from the inside!
Your comment seems to me excellent!
Your Anti-Law is just wonderful! It is the one I follow and it works for me! Thank you for the reminder!
Love,
Christina
I woke up this morning wondering this:
At what point does it happen… when it becomes acceptable in the eyes of ‘rational’ beings.. for the law of Jante to govern their actions.
At what point does it happen when it becomes acceptable for the energy of creativity to be stiffled by this so-called rationality? or for pure good to be consumed by negativity.
It takes place so slowly and inciduously.
You can see it’s effect most clearly by taking a look at the younger spirits, who just entered the world.
Slowly, year by year… as their school class photo shot demonstrates so ever so starkly… the beautiful radiant smiles of each individual child becomes blanked, canvassed, diminished, subdued, pained… and that inspirational spark of hope that one catches alive and bright in their eyes grows dimer and weaker.
At what point did that ever become acceptable? I ask this.
This is more than just mere positivity vs pessimism taking a grip; and more than convention being enforced… Surely?
And, so, when were we ever ‘free’ truelly in ‘this’ life?
So for conclusion… indeed: Viva la anti-Jante !
;o)
Well if you are fascinated by the law of Jante perhaps you should visit Greec where we actually live by the law of Jante. It is maybe a universal law.
That’s so intriguing to me an international law!!!! Well i have to think about it.
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