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One of the reasons why so few of us ever act, instead of react, is because we are continually stifling our deepest impulses.
Henry Miller
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote emphasizes the importance of acting on our inner urges rather than suppressing them.

Henry Miller suggests that many people struggle to take decisive action in their lives because they constantly inhibit their true desires and impulses. This stifling prevents individuals from fully engaging with their motivations and can lead to a reactive rather than proactive approach to life.

Themes

ActionImpulsesReactProactiveDesires

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech to encourage self-expression and authenticity.

More from Henry Miller

Jump off. You are a protected individual. Do not fear.
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I saw through to the last sign and symbol, but I could not read her face. I could see only the eyes shining through, huge, fleshy-like luminous beasts, as though I were swimming behind them in the electric effluvia of her incandescent vision.
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The essential thing is to WANT to sing. This then is a song. I am singing.
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Great God! What have I turned into? What right have you people to clutter up my life, steal my time, probe my soul, suckle my thoughts, have me for your companion, confidant, and information bureau? What do you take me for? Am I an entertainer on salary, required every evening to play an intellectual farce under your stupid noses? Am I a slave, bought and paid for, to crawl on my belly in front of you idlers and lay at your feet all that I do and all that I know?
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We are swimming on the face of time and all else has drowned, is drowning, or will drown.
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To sing you must first open your mouth. You must have a pair of lungs, and a little knowledge of music. It is not necessary to have an accordion, or a guitar. The essential thing is to want to sing. This then is a song. I am singing.
Henry MillerRead

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