When I go to Afghanistan, I realize I've been spared, due to a random genetic lottery, by being born to people who had the means to get out. Every time I go to Afghanistan I am haunted by that.
Interpretation
This quote reflects on the luck of circumstance in life, particularly in relation to privilege and opportunity.
Khaled Hosseini's quote highlights the stark reality of privilege and the randomness of life circumstances. By recognizing that his own safety and opportunities arise from a 'random genetic lottery,' he underscores the disparity between people born into fortunate versus unfortunate situations. His visits to Afghanistan remind him of those less fortunate, creating a haunting sense of responsibility and awareness of the inequalities present in the world.
In practice
In a speech about social justice, one could use this quote to emphasize the randomness of privilege and the importance of giving back.
You're gutless. It's how you were made. And that's not such a bad thing because your saving grace is that you've never lied to yourself about it. Not about that. Nothing wrong with cowardice as long as it comes with prudence. But when a coward stops remembering who he is... God help him.
There was brotherhood between people who had fed from the same breast, a kinship that even time could not break. - Amir
I don't outline at all; I don't find it useful, and I don't like the way it boxes me in. I like the element of surprise and spontaneity, of letting the story find its own way.
And that's the thing about people who mean everything they say. They think everyone else does too.
Perspective [is] a luxury when your head [is] constantly buzzing with a swarm of demons.
The desert weed lives on, but the flower of spring blooms and wilts.
It is more important to be free than to be happy.
Religion has actually convinced people that there's an invisible man living in the sky.
Classic economic theory, based as it is on an inadequate theory of human motivation, could be revolutionized by accepting the reality of higher human needs, including the impulse to self actualization and the love for the highest values.
The evidence for our New Testament writings is ever so much greater than the evidence for many writings of classical authors, the authenticity of which no one dreams of questioning. And if the New Testament were a collection of secular writings, their authenticity would generally be regarded as beyond all doubt.
I find the Englishman to be him of all men who stands firmest in his shoes. They have in themselves what they value in their horses, mettle and bottom.
When the tyrant has disposed of foreign enemies by conquest...and there is nothing to fear from them, then he is always stirring up some war
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