But when I call for a hero, out comes my lazy old self; so I never know who I am, nor how many I am or will be. I'd love to be able to touch a bell and summon the real me, because if I really need myself, I mustn't disappear.
Interpretation
The quote reflects on the struggle of self-identity and the desire to connect with one’s true self.
In this quote, Pablo Neruda expresses a deep existential concern, indicating how often individuals may feel disconnected from their authentic selves. The yearning to 'summon the real me' highlights a struggle with self-identity and the fear of losing oneself amid life's challenges and internal battles.
In practice
During a personal development workshop, this quote can be used to illustrate the importance of self-identity.
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.
I never had an occasion to question color, therefore, I only saw myself as what I was... a human being.
There's something scary about stupidity made coherent.
Our notion of an optimist is a man who knowing that each year was worse than the preceding, thinks next year will be better. And a pessimist is a man who knows the next year can't be worse than the last one.
Men are the only animals that devote themselves, day in and day out, to making one another unhappy. It is an art like any other. Its virtuosi are called altruists.
[about tabloid magazines] Just because you read it in a magazine or see it on a TV screen doesn't make it factual. To buy it is to feed it.
Faith never knows where it is being led, or it would not be faith. True faith is content to travel under sealed orders.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.