It is the pull of opposite poles that stretches souls. And only stretched souls make music.
Interpretation
Opposite experiences and challenges shape our character and creativity.
The quote by Eric Hoffer suggests that the contrasting forces and experiences in our lives are necessary for personal growth and expression. By encountering and embracing these opposing elements, our souls are metaphorically stretched, leading to deeper understanding and creativity, much like how tension in a musical instrument produces sound. It emphasizes the idea that true artistry and emotional resonance arise from the complexities of life.
In practice
This quote could be used during a motivational speech to inspire artists facing challenges.
Language was invented to ask questions. Answers may be given by grunts and gestures, but questions must be spoken. Humanness came of age when man asked the first question. Social stagnation results not from a lack of answers but from the absence of the impulse to ask questions.
Faith in humanity, in posterity, in the destiny of one's religion, nation, race, party or family-what is it but the visualization of that eternal something to which we attach the self that is about to be annihilated?
You can discover what your enemy fears most by observing the means he uses to frighten you.
Our frustration is greater when we have much and want more than when we have nothing and want some. We are less dissatisfied when we lack many things than when we seem to lack but one thing.
Our credulity is greatest concerning the things we know least about.
Perhaps a modern society can remain stable only by eliminating adolescence, by giving its young, from the age of ten, the skills, responsibilities, and rewards of grownups, and opportunities for action in all spheres of life. Adolescence should be a time of useful action, while book learning and scholarship should be a preoccupation of adults.
Kunlun Mountain Over the earth the greenblue monster Kunlun who has seen all spring color and passion of men. Three million dragons of white jade soar and freeze the whole sky with snow. When a summer sun heats the globe rivers flood and men turn into fish and turtles. Who can judge a thousand years of accomplishments or failures?
That which is selfish is immoral, and that which is unselfish is moral.
A collection to which nothing can be added and from which nothing can be removed is, in fact, dead!
He is unworthy of the name of man who is ignorant of the fact that the diagonal of a square is incommensurable with its side.
He that is of the opinion money will do everything may well be suspected of doing everything for money.
Power has for so long been a male construct that it distorted the shape of the first women who tried it on, only to find themselves in a sort of straitjacket.
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