From my birth I have aspired like the eagle - but unlike the eagle, my wings have failed. . . . Congratulate me then that I have found a fitting scope for my powers.
Interpretation
The quote reflects an aspiration for greatness despite facing limitations.
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's quote expresses a yearning for high aspirations akin to an eagle's flight, yet acknowledges the reality of personal limitations that can hinder such ambitions. Despite the failure of her aspirational 'wings', she finds contentment in discovering a suitable realm where her abilities can be realized, highlighting the importance of recognizing one's strengths and the potential for fulfillment within them.
In practice
This quote can be used in a graduation speech to inspire students to embrace their unique paths.
Invention, it must be humbly admitted, does not consist in creating out of a void, but out of chaos; the materials must in the first place be afforded; it can give form to dark, shapeless substances, but cannot bring into being the substance itself.
The instructor can scarcely give sensibility where it is essentially wanting, nor talent to the unpercipient block. But he can cultivate and direct the affections of the pupil, who puts forth, as a parasite, tendrils by which to cling, not knowing to what - to a supporter or a destroyer.
What terrified me will terrify others; and I need only describe the spectre which had haunted my midnight pillow.
I shall commit my thoughts to paper, it is true; but that is a poor medium for the communication of feeling. I desire the company of a man who could sympathize with me, whose eyes would reply to mine.
Heavy misfortunes have befallen us, but let us only cling closer to what remains, and transfer our love for those whom we have lost to those who yet live. Our circle will be small, but bound close by the ties of affection and mutual misfortune. And when time shall have softened your despair, new and dear objects of care will be born to replace those of whom we have been so cruelly deprived.
Hateful day when I received life!' I exclaimed in agony. 'Accursed creator! Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust? God, in pity, made man beautiful and alluring, after his own image; but my form is a filthy type of yours, more horrid even from the very resemlance. Satan had his companions, fellow-devils, to admire and encourage him; but I am solitary and abhorred.' - Frankenstein
Come out into the Universe of Light. Everything in the Universe is Yours, stretch out your arms and Embrace it with Love
Remember: Christ is calling you; the Church needs you; the Pope believes in you and he expects great things of you.
For me, Superman's greatest contribution has never been the superhero part: it's the Clark Kent part - the idea that any of us, in all our ordinariness, can change the world.
We are Boston. We are America. We respond. We endure. We overcome. And we own the finish line.
I do the very best I can to look upon life with optimism and hope and looking forward to a better day.
I am very, very hopeful about the American South - I believe that we will lead America to what Dr. King called 'the beloved community.'
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