I was born in a world of opera, theatre, films, poetry, art, and therefore, out of the wire, I made a stage. That's why they call me a high wire artist.
Philippe PetitRead
It is very normal for people on the ground to look at somebody apparently walking in midair and thinking first that person is crazy and thinking secondly that person risks his or her life.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote illustrates how extraordinary actions can be perceived as irrational or dangerous by others.
Philippe Petit’s quote reflects the common human tendency to view unconventional choices or daring feats with skepticism and concern. It emphasizes the courage it takes to pursue one's passions or dreams, particularly when those pursuits challenge societal norms or expectations. People often label those who take such risks as crazy, yet it is this very courage that leads to remarkable achievements in life.
Themes
CourageRiskDreamsPerceptionExtraordinary
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about following your dreams, one might use this quote to illustrate the fear of judgment.
More from Philippe Petit
All quotes →On a very long and very high wire, I will not hope to not be blown off by high winds. I will have the certitude that such could not happen.
Philippe PetitRead
Many people use the words 'death defying' or 'death wishing' when they talk about wire-walking. Many people have asked me: 'So do you have a death wish?' After doing a beautiful walk, I feel like punching them in the nose. It's indecent. I have a life wish.
Philippe PetitRead
It's very easy to walk on a wire if you spend a whole lifetime practicing for it.
Philippe PetitRead
I am not up there by chance. I am there by choice. And I know the wire. And I know my limits. And I am a madman of details.
Philippe PetitRead
It is treacherous on a high wire to change your focus point and suddenly look down.
Philippe PetitRead
Similar quotes
A good girl in Afghanistan should be silent, should not talk about her future, should listen to your family, be like a doll so that everyone can play with her.
Sonita AlizadehRead
The fears you run away from run toward you. The fears you don't own will own you. But behind every fear wall lives a precious treasure.
Robin S. SharmaRead
I promised never to let the Rwandan Genocide die because I knew the Rwandans didn't have much power internationally and certainly didn't have the resources. I felt it was my duty having witnessed it, and having stayed to witness it, that I had to talk about it and keep it going.
Romeo DallaireRead
People sometimes pay with their lives for saying aloud what they think. In fact, one can even get killed for giving me information. I am not the only one in danger. I have examples that prove it.
Anna PolitkovskayaRead
We aren't going to let any mace stop us. We are masters in our nonviolent movement in disarming police forces; they don't know what to do.
Martin Luther King, Jr.Read
The other reason that I am here today, again from the State Department and from the court record of the court of appeals, is that when I am abroad I speak out against the injustices against the Negro people of this land.
Paul RobesonRead