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.
Interpretation
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.
In practice
In a motivational speech about overcoming obstacles, this quote can illustrate how talent can flourish despite difficult beginnings.
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.
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.
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.
History never really says goodbye. History says, 'See you later.'
The more freedom is extended to business, the more prisons have to be built for those who suffer from that business.
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.
No man has a right to expect to succeed in life unless he understands his business, and nobody can understand his business thoroughly unless he learns it by personal application and experience.
As long as I'm in great shape, nobody beats me, for sure.
Without the element of enjoyment, it is not worth trying to excel at anything.
I have a definition of success. For me it's very simple. It's not about wealth and fame and power. It's about how many shining eyes I have around me.
When people ask me, ‘how do you make it in show business,’ or whatever, what I always tell them — and nobody ever takes note of it ‘cuz it’s not the answer they wanted to hear…but I always say, ‘Be so good they can’t ignore you.’
Fate is being kind to me. Fate doesn't want me to be too famous too young.
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