My life is not this steeply sloping hour, in which you see me hurrying. Much stands behind me; I stand before it like a tree; I am only one of my many mouths, and at that, the one that will be still the soonest. I am the rest between two notes, which are somehow always in discord because Death’s note wants to climb over— but in the dark interval, reconciled, they stay there trembling. And the song goes on, beautiful.
Interpretation
This quote reflects on the nature of life, existence, and the continuity of life despite its challenges and inevitable end.
Rainer Maria Rilke's quote emphasizes the complexity of life, viewing it not merely as a hurried journey but as a rich tapestry of experiences. He likens himself to a tree standing firm and enduring, representing stability amidst the flow of time. The metaphor of being 'the rest between two notes' illustrates the notion of life as a transitional phase filled with tension yet harmonizing into beauty, suggesting that one's essence persists through struggles, and the essence of life is found not just in the hurried moments, but in the stillness and continuity that follow.
In practice
In a graduation speech, one might reflect on challenges faced as a student while emphasizing the beauty of continued learning and growth.
Spring has again returned. _x000D_ _x000D_ The Earth is like a child that knows many poems._x000D_ _x000D_ Many, O so many. For the hardship_x000D_ _x000D_ of such long learning she receives the prize._x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ Strict was her teacher. _x000D_ _x000D_ The white in the old man's beard pleases us._x000D_ _x000D_ Now, what to call green, to call blue,_x000D_ _x000D_ we dare to ask: She knows, She knows!
Verses are not, as people think, feelings (those one has early enough) -- they are experiences. For the sake of a verse one must see many cities, men, and things, one must know the animals feel how birds fly, and know the gesture with which the little flowers open in the morning.
a good marriage is that in which each appoints the other guardian of his solitude
He reproduced himself with so much humble objectivity, with the unquestioning, matter of fact interest of a dog who sees himself in a mirror and thinks: there's another dog.
The only journey is the one within.
And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been
Vengeance and retribution require a long time; it is the rule.
Visible and mobile, my body is a thing among things; it's caught in the fabric of the world, and its cohesion is that of a thing. But, because it moves itself and sees, it holds things in a circle around itself.
We can only give away to others what we have inside ourselves.
There are gods, but there is no God; and all gods become devils eventually.
One must be deeply aware of the impermanence of the world.
The moon had been observing the earth close-up longer than anyone. It must have witnessed all of the phenomena occurring - and all of the acts carried out - on this earth. But the moon remained silent; it told no stories.
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