He saw all these forms and faces in a thousand relationships become newly born. Each one was mortal, a passionate, painful example of all that is transitory. Yet none of them died, they only changed, were always reborn, continually had a new face: only time stood between one face and another.
Interpretation
This quote reflects on the cycle of life and rebirth, illustrating the transitory nature of existence.
Hermann Hesse's quote delves into the concepts of mortality and transformation, emphasizing that while physical forms and identities may change with time, the essence of existence remains eternal. It suggests that what we perceive as death is merely a transition, where each 'face' or experience is continually reborn in a new form, highlighting the interconnectedness of all life and the inevitability of change.
In practice
During a graduation speech to inspire students about embracing change.
I shall no longer be instructed by the Yoga Veda or the Aharva Veda, or the ascetics, or any other doctrine whatsoever. I shall learn from myself, be a pupil of myself; I shall get to know myself, the mystery of Siddhartha." He looked around as if he were seeing the world for the first time.
That is where my dearest and brightest dreams have ranged — to hear for the duration of a heartbeat the universe and the totality of life in its mysterious, innate harmony.
I, also, would like to look and smile, sit and walk like that, so free, so worthy, so restrained, so candid, so childlike and mysterious. A man only looks and walks like that when he has conquered his Self. I also will conquer my Self.
You're quite right there," he said. "I have practiced abstinence myself for years, and had my time of fasting, too, but now I find myself once more beneath the sign of Aquarius, a dark and humid constellation.
I call that man awake who, with conscious knowledge and understanding, can perceive the deep unreasoning powers in his soul, his whole innermost strength, desire and weakness, and knows how to reckon with himself.
Despair is the result of each earnest attempt to go through life with virtue, justice and understanding, and to fulfill their requirements. Children live on one side of despair, the awakened on the other side.
Most of us, if we're not careful, tend to dehumanize the enemy.
We lose ourselves in what we read, only to return to ourselves, transformed and part of a more expansive world.
I'm always looking for things that are so incredibly present that they become invisible.
One always pulls the trigger out of self-interest and quotes history to avoid responsibility or pangs of conscience.
Chance makes a plaything of a man's life.
We Americans are the peculiar, chosen people - the Israel of our time; we bear the ark of the liberties of the world.
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