QuoteProject
Potentially evil. Potentially good, too, I suppose. Just this huge powerful potentiality waiting to be shaped.
Neil Gaiman
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Our abilities and the potential within us can lead to both positive and negative outcomes, depending on how we choose to shape them.

This quote by Neil Gaiman reflects the dual nature of potential, emphasizing that while we all possess immense capabilities that can lead to great achievements, the direction we take in utilizing that potential can lead to either constructive or destructive outcomes. It serves as a reminder of our responsibility in how we harness our abilities and the impact that our choices have on ourselves and the world around us.

Themes

PotentialGoodEvilPowerfulShaping

In practice

Example use cases

During a motivational speech about personal growth and responsibility.

More from Neil Gaiman

A short story is the ultimate close-up magic trick -- a couple of thousand words to take you around the universe or break your heart.
Neil GaimanRead
Jesus. Low-Key Lyesmith," said Shadow. and then he heard what he was saying and he understood. "Loki," he said. "Loki Lie-smith." "You're slow," said Loki, "but you get there in the end." And his lips twisted into a scarred smile and the embers danced in the shadows of his eyes.
Neil GaimanRead
As a teenager I wrote to R.A. Lafferty. And he responded, too, with letters that were like R.A. Lafferty short stories, filled with elliptical answers to straight questions and simple answers to complicated ones.
Neil GaimanRead
The important thing to understand about American history, wrote Mr. Ibis, in his leather-bound journal, is that it is fictional, a charcoal-sketched simplicity for the children, or the easily bored.
Neil GaimanRead
Nothing’s changed. You’ll go home. You’ll be bored. You’ll be ignored. No one will listen to you, really listen to you. You’re too clever and too quiet for them to understand. They don’t even get your name right.
Neil GaimanRead
I like the stars. It's the illusion of permanence, I think. I mean, they're always flaring up and caving in and going out. But from here, I can pretend...I can pretend that things last. I can pretend that lives last longer than moments. Gods come, and gods go. Mortals flicker and flash and fade. Worlds don't last; and stars and galaxies are transient, fleeting things that twinkle like fireflies and vanish into cold and dust. But I can pretend.
Neil GaimanRead

Similar quotes

A democracy,- that is a government of all the people, by all the people, for all the people; of course, a government of the principles of eternal justice, the unchanging law of God; for shortness' sake I will call it the idea of Freedom.
Theodore ParkerRead
Make me an instrument of thy peace.
Francis Of AssisiRead
Mine alone is the country of my soul.
Marc ChagallRead
Peace and not war is the father of all things.
Ludwig Von MisesRead
Imagine a civilisation that's way in advance of us wants to communicate with us, and assist us in our development. The information we provide to them must reflect our highest aspirations and ideals, and not just be some crazy person's bizarre politics or religion.
Paul DaviesRead
England has always been disinclined to accept human nature.
E. M. ForsterRead

A little wisdom, now and then

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