Respect for the fragility and importance of an individual life is still the mark of an educated man.
Norman CousinsRead
To be able to rise from the earth; to be able, from a station in outer space, to see the relationship of the planet earth to other planets; to be able to contemplate the billions of factors in precise and beautiful combination that make human existence possible; to be able to dwell on an encounter of the human brain and spirit with the universe
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the interconnectedness of human existence with the universe and the beauty of understanding our place within it.
Norman Cousins expresses a profound appreciation for the complexity and beauty of life, highlighting the importance of perspective in understanding our existence. By imagining a view from outer space, he invites us to consider not only our relationship with the Earth and other celestial bodies but also the intricate factors that allow life to thrive. This contemplation encourages a deep reflection on the unity of the human experience within the vastness of the universe.
Themes
PerspectiveUniverseExistenceHumanityInterconnectedness
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a graduation speech to inspire students to think broadly about their future.
More from Norman Cousins
All quotes →Never deny a diagnosis, but do deny the negative verdict that may go with it.
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Although a man may have no jurisdiction over the fact of his existence, he can hold supreme command over the meaning of existence for him.
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Reverence for life is more than solicitude or sensitivity for life. It is a sense of the whole, a capacity for inspired response, a respect for the intricate universe of individual life. It is the supreme awareness of awareness itself.
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