QuoteProject
Through indiscriminate suffering men know fear, and fear is the most divine emotion. It is the stones for altars and the beginning of wisdom.
Zora Neale Hurston
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Suffering teaches us fear, which ultimately leads to a deeper understanding of life and wisdom.

This quote by Zora Neale Hurston suggests that the experience of suffering is a universal condition that instills fear in humanity. It argues that this fear is not merely a negative emotion but is crucial for personal development and enlightenment, acting as a foundation for wisdom akin to how stones are used to build altars. By embracing and understanding our fears born from suffering, we can begin to cultivate wisdom and insight into the human experience.

Themes

FearSufferingWisdomEmotionGrowth

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech about overcoming adversity, one might say, 'Remember, through suffering, we gain the wisdom that shapes our character.'

More from Zora Neale Hurston

It seems that fighting is a game where everybody is the loser.
Zora Neale HurstonRead
Lack of power and opportunity passes off too often for virtue.
Zora Neale HurstonRead
From barren brown stems to glistening leaf-buds; from the leaf-buds to snowy virginity of bloom…It was like a flute song forgotten in another existence and remembered again. What? How? Why? This singing she heard that had nothing to do with her ears. The rose of the world was breathing out smell. It followed her through all her waking moments and caressed her in her sleep.
Zora Neale HurstonRead
Someone is always at my elbow reminding me that I am the granddaughter of slaves. It fails to register depression with me.
Zora Neale HurstonRead
Don't you realize that the sea is the home of water? All water is off on a journey unless it's in the sea, and it's homesick, and bound to make its way home someday.
Zora Neale HurstonRead
Two things everybody's got tuh do fuh theyselves. They got tuh go tuh God, and they got tuh find out about livin' fuh theyselves.
Zora Neale HurstonRead

Similar quotes

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angles, but am note nice, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but am not nice, I am nothing. If I give all I posses to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but am not nice, I gain nothing.
Benjamin CarsonRead
Hang that question up in your houses, "What would Jesus do?" and then think of another, "How would Jesus do it?" for what he would do, and how he would do it, may always stand as the best guide to us.
Charles SpurgeonRead
Be aware of your breathing as often as you are able, whenever you remember. Do that for one year, and it will be powerfully transformative. And it's free.
Eckhart TolleRead
Ridicule is the best test of truth.
Lord ChesterfieldRead
I believe that anyone who claims to know what's going on will lie about the little things too.
Neil GaimanRead
Worrying is like paying on a debt that may never come due.
Will RogersRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.

Quote by Zora Neale Hurston | QuoteProject