People look with sympathetic eyes only at the blossom and the fruit, and disregard the long period of transition during which the one is ripening into the other.
Berthold AuerbachRead
The beauty of life is in people who feel some obligation to enhance life. Without that, we're only half alive.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Life gains meaning through our connections and obligations to one another.
This quote emphasizes the importance of community and interpersonal relationships in giving life its true beauty. Ralph Waite suggests that when individuals commit to enhancing the lives of others, it contributes to a fuller, richer existence; without such connections and responsibilities, life lacks depth and purpose.
Themes
LifeBeautyObligationCommunityConnection
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about community service, this quote could illustrate the importance of helping others.
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