There's a kind of optimism specifically within Christianity about the world - about whose side God is on. Well, I didn't have any of that in my background. I had physicality and chaos.
Ta-Nehisi CoatesRead
Chaos is what we have. That is what I believe.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Chaos is an inherent aspect of our reality, and recognizing it is crucial.
In this quote, Ta-Nehisi Coates suggests that chaos is not merely a disruption but a fundamental part of our existence. Embracing the chaos allows for a deeper understanding of our lives, encouraging acceptance rather than resistance to disorder and unpredictability.
Themes
ChaosBelieveRealityAcceptanceDisorder
In practice
Example use cases
During a talk on resilience, one might use this quote to illustrate the importance of accepting life's unpredictability.
More from Ta-Nehisi Coates
All quotes βWe've got in the habit of not really understanding how freedom was in the 19th century, the idea of government of the people in the 19th century. America commits itself to that in theory.
Ta-Nehisi CoatesRead
I never expected my writing to become as popular as it did.
Ta-Nehisi CoatesRead
It's hard for me to view Baltimore outside the context of what Baltimore has always been in my mind: a violent place.
Ta-Nehisi CoatesRead
If I could have anything - you know, and this is across the board for any presidential candidate - I would have a greater acknowledgment of history in our policy and in our affairs.
Ta-Nehisi CoatesRead
You can't make a direct comparison between middle-class African Americans and middle-class white Americans, affluent African Americans and affluent white Americans. The amount of wealth tends to be less.
Ta-Nehisi CoatesRead
Similar quotes
When death comes, he respects neither age nor merit. He sweeps from the earthly existence the sick and the strong, the rich and the poor, and should teach us to live to be prepared for death.
Andrew JacksonRead
The liar was the hottest to defend his veracity, the coward his courage, the ill-bred his gentlemanliness, and the cad his honor
Margaret MitchellRead
I came in contact with every known Indian anarchist in London. Their bravery impressed me, but I felt that their zeal was misguided. I felt that violence was no remedy for India's ills, and that her civilisation required the use of a different and higher weapon for self-protection. - Hind Swaraj
Mahatma GandhiRead
The Cross isn't an ornament, mere symbol. It's the mystery of God's love, that He died for our sins.
Pope FrancisRead
In the face of the obscene, explicit malice of the jungle, which lacks only dinosaurs as punctuation, I feel like a half-finished, poorly expressed sentence in a cheap novel.
Werner HerzogRead
Discrimination is not liberal. Arguing against discrimination is not intolerance.
Richard DawkinsRead