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.
bad things, like good things don't happen any more often than they ought to by chance. the universe has no mind, no feelings, and no personality, so it doesn't do things in order to either hurt or please you. bad things happen because things happen.
Fear? What has a man to do with fear? Chance rules our lives, and the future is all unknown. Best live as we may, from day to day.
Memory is the primary and fundamental power, without which there could be no other intellectual operation.
Human freedom involves our capacity to pause, to choose the one response toward which we wish to throw our weight.
I have a theory which I suspect is rather immoral,' Smiley went on, more lightly. 'Each of us has only a quantum of compassion. That if we lavish our concern on every stray cat, we never get to the centre of things.
The glory of Christianity is to conquer by forgiveness. It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend.
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