As a child, you respond physically, tactically. You're delighted by sound, you're delighted by recognizing something. It's like hide and seek. Is it there? Is it not there? Is it this note? Is it not this note? It's one fantastic game.
Yo-Yo MaRead
After reaching 50, I began to wonder what the root of life is.
Interpretation
This quote reflects a deeper contemplation on the essence and purpose of life as one ages.
In this quote, Yo-Yo Ma expresses a common introspection that occurs in later life, where individuals start to question the fundamental reasons for their existence and the meaning of their experiences. Reaching the age of 50 often prompts a reflective journey about lifeβs purpose, achievements, and the legacy one wishes to leave, leading to a search for understanding the root or essence of life itself.
In practice
In a graduation speech to encourage young adults to seek their own purpose in life.
As a child, you respond physically, tactically. You're delighted by sound, you're delighted by recognizing something. It's like hide and seek. Is it there? Is it not there? Is it this note? Is it not this note? It's one fantastic game.
There's a part of me that's always charging ahead. I'm the curious kid, always going to the edge.
I think that peace is, in many ways, a precondition of joy.
I think anybody who goes away finds you appreciate home more when you return.
When we enlarge our view of the world, we deepen our understanding of our own lives.
I learn something not because I have to, but because I really want to. That's the same view I have for performing. I'm performing because I really want to, not because I have to bring bread back home.
Fear? What has a man to do with fear? Chance rules our lives, and the future is all unknown. Best live as we may, from day to day.
From birth, man carries the weight of gravity on his shoulders. He is bolted to earth. But man has only to sink beneath the surface and he is free.
Man does not speak because he thinks; he thinks because he speaks. Or rather, speaking is no different than thinking: to speak is to think.
I was told by my grandfather who was a minister that we all were put here on earth to be of service to one another, and it is quite gratifying to know that if I am able to be of help to one that is not able to help themselves then I am fulfilling my obligation as a human being.
To be realistic today is to be visionary. To be realistic is to be starry-eyed.
The villany you teach me I shall execute; and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction.
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