And enough for me that when my hand touched your shoulder, you leaned on me; and when you felt me slip away, you called my name.
Orson Scott CardRead
It's what I was born for, isn't it? If I don't go, why am I alive?
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects a deep connection between purpose and existence, suggesting that one's true calling is essential to living a fulfilling life.
Orson Scott Card's quote emphasizes the importance of pursuing one's innate purpose and passions. It poses a rhetorical question that challenges the listener to consider the significance of their life choices and the fulfillment they derive from following their calling. The sentiment suggests that merely existing without purpose is akin to not truly living, highlighting the extraordinary importance of self-discovery and pursuing one's dreams.
Themes
PurposeExistenceLifeCallingFulfillment
In practice
Example use cases
In a graduation speech to inspire graduates to pursue their dreams.
More from Orson Scott Card
All quotes →The world is always a democracy in times of flux, and the man with the best voice will win.
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Never mind that the story had turned out to be lies and foolishness—there was always folks stupid enough to say, Where there's smoke there's fire, when the saying should have been, Where there's scandalous lies there's always malicious believers and spreaders-around, regardless of evidence.
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The lives of all people flow through time, and, regardless of how brutal one moment may be, how filled with grief or pain or fear, time flows through all lives equally.
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You take a step, then another. That's the journey. But to take a step with your eyes open is not a journey at all, it's a remaking of your own mind.
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I've had your tears with mine, and you've had mine with yours. I think that's more intimate even than a kiss.
Orson Scott CardRead
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if it's true your life flashes past your eyes before you die, then it is also the truth that your life rushes forth when you are ready to start to truly be alive.
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Look, I don't want to wax philosophic, but I will say that if you're alive you've got to flap your arms and legs, you've got to jump around a lot, for life is the very opposite of death, and therefore you must at very least think noisy and colorfully, or you're not alive.
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we drove on and on, past little villages and both good things and bad things were happening to the people in those villages too, but I still was nothing but arms and ears and eyes and maybe there'd be either some good luck for me or more death tomorrow.
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Life is a great and wondrous mystery, and the only thing we know that we have for sure is what is right here right now. Don't miss it.
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Whether we're prepared or not, life has a habit of thrusting situations upon us.
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To me, life is like the back nine in golf. Sometimes you play better on the back nine. You may not be stronger, but hopefully you're wiser. And if you keep most of your marbles intact, you can add a note of wisdom to the coming generation.
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