Strange children should smile at each other and say, "Let's play.
Interpretation
The quote encourages children to embrace connections and play, transcending differences.
F. Scott Fitzgerald's quote emphasizes the importance of friendship and connection, particularly among children. It suggests that despite being 'strange' or different, the act of smiling and inviting others to play fosters bonds and understanding, illustrating how simple interactions can break down barriers and create joy.
In practice
In a speech about community engagement, this quote can highlight the importance of building friendships among diverse groups.
Don't be so anxious about it,' she laughed. 'I'm not used to being loved. I wouldn't know what to do; I never got the trick of it.' She looked down at him, shy and fatigued. 'So here we are. I told you years ago that I had the makings of Cinderella.' He took her hand; she drew it back instinctively and then replaced it in his. 'Beg your pardon. Not even used to being touched. But I'm not afraid of you, if you stay quiet and don't move suddenly.
The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.
It was about then [1920] that I wrote a line which certain people will not let me forget: "She was a faded but still lovely woman of twenty-seven."
The words seemed to bite physically into Gatsby.
But you can love more than just one person, can't you?
A sudden gust of rain blew over them and then another - as if small liquid clouds were bouncing along the land. Lightning entered the sea far off and the air blew full of crackling thunder. The table cloths blew around the pillars. They blew and blew and blew. The flags twisted around the red chairs like live things, the banners were ragged, the corners of the table tore off through the burbling billowing ends of the cloths.
Your corn is ripe today; mine will be so tomorrow. 'Tis profitable for us both, that I should labour with you today, and that you should aid me tomorrow.
All friendship is desirable in itself, though it starts from the need of help
I never could get on with representative individuals but people who existed on their own account and with whom it might therefore be possible to be friends.
We've always had each other's backs in and out of competition. We support each other the most because we're the only ones that know what it's like to go through what we do, and so we can't be more thankful for each other. We're like sisters.
Friendship, if somebody holds out his hand toward you, you've got to reach and take it... There are too many people alone, and if you're lucky enough for somebody to want you as a friend, it's an obligation.
All we can do is to make the best of our friends, love and cherish what is good in them, and keep out of the way what is bad.
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