Our destiny is not written for us, but by us.
Barack ObamaRead
If you trace back all those links in the chain that had to be in place for me to be here, the laws of probability maintain that my very existence is miraculous. But then after however many decades, less than a hundred years, they disburse and I cease to be. So while they're all congregated and coordinated to make me, then-and I speak her on behalf of all those trillions of atoms-I should really make the most of things.
Interpretation
The quote reflects on the miraculous nature of existence and the importance of making the most of life.
Jim Al-Khalili contemplates the astonishing series of events and probabilities that have led to his existence, emphasizing the idea that being alive is a remarkable phenomenon. He suggests that life, despite its brevity, is precious and should be fully embraced, urging us to appreciate our time while it lasts.
In practice
In a motivational speech about appreciating life, this quote could serve as a powerful reminder.
Our destiny is not written for us, but by us.
My atheism, like that of Spinoza, is true piety towards the universe and denies only gods fashioned by men in their own image, to be servants of their human interests.
I'm afraid we live at the mercy of a power, maybe a God, without mercy. And yet we find it, as I have, from others.
To discover and know has always been a deep tendency of our nature. Can we not recognize it already in caveman?
Really high-minded people are indifferent to happiness, especially other people's.
Chess holds deep wisdoms of the people. It is truly an image of life, the reflection of human fate that has shown us the earthly way of suffering in darkness and permanent shortage of time. Like in chess, we encounter all kinds of traps, mistakes, settlements, sacrifices, kings, and queens, doubled pawns, and extraordinary moves while we are on the board ourselves.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.