A child who does not play is not a child, but the man who doesn't play has lost forever the child who lived in him and who he will miss terribly.
Interpretation
Play is essential to the essence of childhood, and neglecting it in adulthood signifies a loss of innocence and joy.
This quote by Pablo Neruda emphasizes the importance of play in childhood development and suggests that it is a fundamental aspect of being a child. Furthermore, it warns that as adults, those who abandon play lose touch with their inner child, leading to a lingering sense of loss and regret for the joy and creativity that comes from playfulness.
In practice
In a motivational speech about maintaining creativity in the workplace.
Perhaps this war will pass like the others which divided us leaving us dead, killing us along with the killers but the shame of this time puts its burning fingers to our faces. Who will erase the ruthlessness hidden in innocent blood?
I want to see the thirst inside the syllables I want to touch the fire in the sound: I want to feel the darkness of the cry. I want words as rough as virgin rocks.” - Verb.
Only do not forget, if I wake up crying it's only because in my dream I'm a lost child hunting through the leaves of the night for your hands.
And here am I, budding among the ruins with only sorrow to bite on, as if weeping were a seed and I the earth's only furrow.
Once more I am the silent one who came out of the distance wrapped in cold rain and bells: I owe to earth's pure death the will to sprout.
I learned about life from life itself, love I learned in a single kiss and could teach no one anything except that I have lived with something in common among men.
Guilt is only another way of avoiding informed action.
If you expect nothing from anybody, you’re never disappointed.
Study how water flows in a valley stream, smoothly and freely between the rocks. Also learn from holy books and wise people. Everything - even mountains, rivers, plants and trees - should be your teacher.
It is better to have your head in the clouds, and know where you are... than to breathe the clearer atmosphere below them, and think that you are in paradise.
Nothing does reason more right, than the coolness of those that offer it: For Truth often suffers more by the heat of its defenders, than from the arguments of its opposers.
Every man who says frankly and fully what he thinks is so far doing a public service. We should be grateful to him for attacking most unsparingly our most cherished opinions.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.