I have discovered in life that there are ways of getting almost anywhere you want to go, if you really want to go.
Langston HughesRead
I went down to the river, I set down on the bank. I tried to think but couldn't, So I jumped in and sank.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the struggle of trying to find clarity and peace of mind amidst confusion, ultimately leading to a decision to embrace the chaos.
Langston Hughes' quote expresses the frustration of being overwhelmed by thoughts and emotions, resulting in a moment where the speaker chooses to abandon rational thinking in favor of a more instinctive reaction. The act of jumping into the river symbolizes a surrender to the flow of life, suggesting that sometimes, it may be more beneficial to immerse oneself in experiences rather than getting lost in contemplation.
Themes
RiverConfusionSurrenderExperienceChaos
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can inspire someone going through a tough decision to take action instead of overthinking.
More from Langston Hughes
All quotes βMy writing has been largely concerned with the depicting of Negro life in America.
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I tire so of hearing people say, Let things take their course. Tomorrow is another day. I do not need my freedom when I'm dead. I cannot live on tomorrow's bread.
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An artist must be free to choose what he does, certainly, but he must also never be afraid to do what he might choose.
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The calm, Cool face of the river, Asked me for a kiss
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The only way to get a thing done is to start to do it, then keep on doing it, and finally you'll finish it.
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