You should never be afraid of people... such fear can destroy us completely. You've simply got to get rid of it, if you want to turn into someone decent. You understand that, don't you?
Interpretation
Fear of others can hold us back, preventing us from becoming our best selves.
In this quote, Hermann Hesse emphasizes the importance of overcoming the fear of judgment or rejection from others. He suggests that such fear can be crippling, hindering personal growth and development into a 'decent' person. By encouraging a release from these fears, Hesse advocates for a more authentic existence where individuals can thrive without the burdens of societal pressure and the opinions of others.
In practice
During a motivational speech focused on personal growth, you could use this quote to encourage the audience to confront their fears.
I shall no longer be instructed by the Yoga Veda or the Aharva Veda, or the ascetics, or any other doctrine whatsoever. I shall learn from myself, be a pupil of myself; I shall get to know myself, the mystery of Siddhartha." He looked around as if he were seeing the world for the first time.
That is where my dearest and brightest dreams have ranged — to hear for the duration of a heartbeat the universe and the totality of life in its mysterious, innate harmony.
I, also, would like to look and smile, sit and walk like that, so free, so worthy, so restrained, so candid, so childlike and mysterious. A man only looks and walks like that when he has conquered his Self. I also will conquer my Self.
You're quite right there," he said. "I have practiced abstinence myself for years, and had my time of fasting, too, but now I find myself once more beneath the sign of Aquarius, a dark and humid constellation.
I call that man awake who, with conscious knowledge and understanding, can perceive the deep unreasoning powers in his soul, his whole innermost strength, desire and weakness, and knows how to reckon with himself.
Despair is the result of each earnest attempt to go through life with virtue, justice and understanding, and to fulfill their requirements. Children live on one side of despair, the awakened on the other side.
If something's just, I'll let myself be hacked to bits for it.
Don't condemn me, remember rather that sometimes I, too, can reach the bursting point.
There are many ways of showing your protest and discontent without the actions of Kremlin.
I think all musicians have at one time or another experienced one physical problem or another. I have had tendinitis a couple of times, so I try to be really careful. It takes patience and persistence to overcome injury.
One usually dies because one is alone, or because one has got into something over one's head. One often dies because one does not have the right alliances, because one is not given support. In Sicily the Mafia kills the servants of the State that the State has not been able to protect.
I have not ceased being fearful, but I have ceased to let fear control me.
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