It is greater than the stars - that moving procession of human energy; greater than the palpitating earth and the things growing thereon.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the profound and dynamic nature of human energy and its significance over the physical elements of the universe.
In this quote, Kate Chopin reflects on the extraordinary power and vitality of human existence, suggesting that the collective energy of humanity surpasses even the grandeur of the stars and the life on Earth. This perspective encourages appreciation for human potential and interconnectedness, highlighting that our actions and relationships hold immense value in the grand scheme of existence.
In practice
During a motivational speech on the importance of teamwork, you might quote this to emphasize the power of collective human effort.
She looked into the distance, and the old terror flamed up for an instant, then sank again. Edna heard her father's voice and her sister Margaret's. She heard the barking of an old dog that was chained to the sycamore tree. The spurs of the cavalry officer clanged as he walked across the porch. There was the hum of bees, and the musky odor of pinks filled the air. (last lines)
There were days when she was unhappy, she did not know why,--when it did not seem worthwhile to be glad or sorry, to be alive or dead; when life appeared to her like a grotesque pandemonium and humanity like worms struggling blindly toward inevitable annihilation.
She's got some sort of notion in her head concerning the eternal rights of women.
Well, for instance, when I left her today, she put her arms around me and felt my shoulder blades, to see if my wings were strong, she said.
I would give up the unessential; I would give my money, I would give my life for my children; but I wouldn't give myself.
There would be no one there to live for her during those coming years; she would live for herself. There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistance with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature. A kind intention or a cruel intention made the act seem no less a crime as she looked upon it in that brief moment of illumination.
Every four years, the eyes of America become riveted on the national election returns. But God's first concern during any political season is not the same as our first concern - it is not about what is happening, or going to happen, in the White House. God's first concern is what is happening, or not happening, in His house.
If a great country yields to a small country, it will conquer the small country. If a small country yields to a great country, it will be conquered by the great country.
All their life in this world and all their adventures had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on for ever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.
Beauty is a terrible and awful thing! It is terrible because it has not been fathomed, for God sets us nothing but riddles. Here the boundaries meet and all contradictions exist side by side.
We all labour against our own cure, for death is the cure of all diseases.
Free as air; that's what they say- "free as air". Now they bring me my air in an iron barrel.
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