The fact to which we have got to cling, as to a lifebelt, is that it is possible to be a normal decent person and yet be fully alive.
Allen GinsbergRead
No man can climb out beyond the limitations of his own character.
Interpretation
One's personal character determines their ability to achieve greatness.
This quote by John Morley emphasizes that an individual's character plays a pivotal role in their achievements and overall potential. It suggests that personal growth and success are inherently linked to one's integrity, values, and moral compass, indicating that without strengthening one's character, one cannot rise above their inherent limitations.
In practice
During a motivational speech aimed at students contemplating their futures.
The fact to which we have got to cling, as to a lifebelt, is that it is possible to be a normal decent person and yet be fully alive.
The mind always functions in an eccentric way, the mind is always an idiot. The really intelligent person has no mind. Intelligence arises out of no-mind, idiocy out of the mind. Mind is idiotic, no-mind is wise. No-mind is wisdom, intelligence. Mind depends on knowledge, on methods, on money, on experience, on this and that. Mind always needs props, it needs supports, it cannot exist on its own. On its own, it flops.
Maturity: knowing where you're crazy, trying to warn others of the fact and striving to keep yourself under control.
The truth needs so little rehearsal.
He who cannot rest, cannot work; he who cannot let go, cannot hold on; he who cannot find footing, cannot go forward.
Each generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it, and wiser than the one that comes after it.
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