All imperfection is easier to tolerate if served up in small doses.
Wislawa SzymborskaRead
All is mine but nothing owned, nothing owned for memory, and mine only while I look.
Interpretation
This quote reflects on the nature of ownership and the transient experience of possessing things in life.
Wislawa Szymborska's quote suggests that true ownership is an illusion; we may feel we possess things, but in reality, they are only ours as long as we are present and aware of them. This implies that our experiences and memories are fleeting, and material possession does not equate to lasting fulfillment or control over our lives.
In practice
In a motivational speech about living in the moment, one could use this quote to emphasize the importance of experiences over material possessions.
All imperfection is easier to tolerate if served up in small doses.
I started earning a living as a poet rather early on.
But they know about us, they know, the four corners, and the chairs nearby us. Discerning shadows also know, and even the table keeps quiet.
I prefer the absurdity of writing poems to the absurdity of not writing poems.
I've reached the age of self-knowledge, so I don't know anything. People who claim that they know something are responsible for most of the fuss in the world.
Every beginning is only a sequel, after all, and the book of events is always open halfway through.
It is the worst oppression, that is done by colour of justice
The course of a river is almost always disapproved of by the source.
Some prices are just too high, no matter how much you may want the prize. The one thing you can't trade for your heart's desire is your heart.
It is right that he too should have his little chronicle, his memories, his reason, and be able to recognize the good in the bad, the bad in the worst, and so grow gently old down all the unchanging days, and die one day like any other day, only shorter.
When men yield up the privilege of thinking, the last shadow of liberty quits the horizon.
The dripping blood our only drink, The bloody flesh our only food: In spite of which we like to think That we are sound, substantial flesh and blood Again, in spite of that, we call this Friday good.
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