Most people...are like a falling leaf that drifts and turns in the air, flutters, and falls to the ground. But a few others are like stars which travel one defined path: no wind reaches them, they have within themselves their guide and path.
Interpretation
The quote contrasts the aimless nature of most people with the purposeful journey of a few who have inner guidance.
Hermann Hesse uses the metaphor of falling leaves and stars to illustrate the contrast between the majority of individuals, who navigate life without direction and succumb to external influences, and a select few who possess an inner compass guiding them along a purposeful path. This highlights the importance of self-awareness and determination in achieving one's goals amidst the chaos of life.
In practice
During a motivational speech to emphasize pursuing one's own path.
I shall no longer be instructed by the Yoga Veda or the Aharva Veda, or the ascetics, or any other doctrine whatsoever. I shall learn from myself, be a pupil of myself; I shall get to know myself, the mystery of Siddhartha." He looked around as if he were seeing the world for the first time.
That is where my dearest and brightest dreams have ranged — to hear for the duration of a heartbeat the universe and the totality of life in its mysterious, innate harmony.
I, also, would like to look and smile, sit and walk like that, so free, so worthy, so restrained, so candid, so childlike and mysterious. A man only looks and walks like that when he has conquered his Self. I also will conquer my Self.
You're quite right there," he said. "I have practiced abstinence myself for years, and had my time of fasting, too, but now I find myself once more beneath the sign of Aquarius, a dark and humid constellation.
I call that man awake who, with conscious knowledge and understanding, can perceive the deep unreasoning powers in his soul, his whole innermost strength, desire and weakness, and knows how to reckon with himself.
Despair is the result of each earnest attempt to go through life with virtue, justice and understanding, and to fulfill their requirements. Children live on one side of despair, the awakened on the other side.
Boredom is a certain sign that we are allowing our faculties to rust in idleness.
I've had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened.
Expect poison from the standing water.
To live life is to make a succession of errors. Understanding this can bring us great ease and forgiveness for ourselves and others.
To distract myself from tiresome thoughts, I have only to resort to books; they easily draw my mind to themselves and away from other things.
Here's my unsolicited advice to any aspiring screenwriters who might be reading this: Don’t ever agonize about the hordes of other writers who are ostensibly your competition. No one else is capable of doing what you do.
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