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One human life is deeper than the ocean. Strange fishes and sea-monsters and mighty plants live in the rock-bed of our spirits. The whole of human history is an undiscovered continent deep in our souls. There are dolphins, plants that dream, magic birds inside us. The sky is inside us. The earth is in us.
Ben Okri
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Human life is rich and complex, filled with depths and mysteries that are often overlooked.

In this quote, Ben Okri emphasizes the profound depth of human existence, suggesting that within each individual lies an entire world of experiences, emotions, and potential. He compares the richness of life to the ocean, filled with strange creatures and vibrant life forms, indicating that our inner selves are as vast and unexplored as the depths of the sea, holding the history, dreams, and magic of our existence.

Themes

Human LifeDepthMysterySoulExistence

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in a motivational speech about self-discovery and understanding one's inner complexities.

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The acknowledged legislators of the world take the world as given. They dislike mysteries, for mysteries cannot be coded, or legislated, and wonder cannot be made into law. And so these legislators police the accepted frontiers of things.
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