I was at home then in the world of figures, but not in that of values

I was at home then in the world of figures, but not in that of values

Georg Brandes, a Danish critic and scholar, was known for his keen observations on literature, society, and culture. His quote, "I was at home then in the world of figures, but not in that of values," reflects his belief in the importance of understanding the quantitative aspects of life, but also recognizing the deeper, more subjective meanings that underlie them.

Brandes was a proponent of realism in literature, which emphasized the accurate portrayal of everyday life and the social issues of the time. He believed that literature should reflect the realities of society, including its flaws and contradictions. In this sense, he was comfortable in the world of figures, where facts and statistics could be analyzed and understood.

However, Brandes also recognized the limitations of a purely rational and empirical approach to life. He understood that there were intangible values and beliefs that could not be quantified or measured. These values, such as love, beauty, and morality, were essential to the human experience and could not be reduced to mere numbers.