QuoteProject
And one fine day the goddess of the wind kisses the foot of man, that mistreated, scorned foot, and from that kiss the soccer idol is born. He is born in a straw crib in a tin-roofed shack and he enters the world clinging to a ball.
Eduardo Galeano
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote illustrates how greatness can arise from humble beginnings, highlighting the transformative nature of passion and fate.

In this quote, Eduardo Galeano poetically describes the birth of a soccer idol from the most modest and challenging circumstances. The reference to the 'goddess of the wind' kissing the 'mistreated, scorned foot' symbolizes how destiny and talent can emerge from adversity, creating greatness where it is least expected. This underscores the theme that even those born into hardship can achieve extraordinary success if they possess passion and dedication.

Themes

SuccessAdversitySoccerPassionDestiny

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech about overcoming obstacles, this quote can illustrate how talent can flourish despite difficult beginnings.

More from Eduardo Galeano

Utopia is on the horizon. I move two steps closer; it moves two steps further away. I walk another ten steps and the horizon runs ten steps further away. As much as I may walk, I'll never reach it. So what's the point of utopia? The point is this: to keep walking.
Eduardo GaleanoRead
It is highly improbable that the bureaucrat will put his life on the line. It is absolutely impossible that he'll put his job on the line.
Eduardo GaleanoRead
We live in a world that treats the dead better than the living. We, the living are askers of questions and givers of answers, and we have other grave defects unpardonable by a system that believes death, like money, improves people.
Eduardo GaleanoRead
History never really says goodbye. History says, 'See you later.'
Eduardo GaleanoRead
The more freedom is extended to business, the more prisons have to be built for those who suffer from that business.
Eduardo GaleanoRead
Utopia lies at the horizon. When I draw nearer by two steps, it retreats two steps. If I proceed ten steps forward, it swiftly slips ten steps ahead. No matter how far I go, I can never reach it. What, then, is the purpose of utopia? It is to cause us to advance.
Eduardo GaleanoRead

Similar quotes

Success is a function of persistence and doggedness and the willingness to work hard for twenty-two minutes to make sense of something that most people would give up on after thirty seconds.
Malcolm GladwellRead
Long-term success requires faith-faith that your efforts to plan and execute the process will lead to the desired outcome.
Tony DungyRead
The one thing you can do for sure is push the luck on your side
Roger FedererRead
Success is finding satisfaction in giving a little more than you take.
Christopher ReeveRead
The biggest rival I had in my career was me. I couldn't control Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Tom Watson or Lee Trevino. The only person I could control was me.
Jack NicklausRead
Achievement; the death of endeavor and the birth of disgust.
Ambrose BierceRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.