For me, Superman's greatest contribution has never been the superhero part: it's the Clark Kent part - the idea that any of us, in all our ordinariness, can change the world.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes that everyone has the potential to make a significant impact, regardless of their ordinary appearance or circumstances.
Brad Meltzer highlights the importance of the 'Clark Kent' identity of Superman, suggesting that it is not just the superhero persona that matters, but the everyday person behind it. This perspective encourages individuals to recognize their own potential for change and influence, reinforcing the idea that greatness can come from within and that ordinary people can indeed make a difference in the world.
In practice
In a motivational speech to inspire young people to pursue their dreams.
...as your father, my instinct is to protect you ... Other people will want to protect you too. But remember that you are not a damsel in distress, waiting for some prince to rescue you. Forget the prince. With your brain and your resourcefulness, you can rescue yourself.
But to me, the most important page in my daughter's book is the last one - because it's blank. It says, "Your Hero's Photo Here," and, "Your Hero's Story Here."
Remember that you are not a damsel in distress, waiting for some prince to rescue you. Forget that prince. With your brain and your resourcefulness, you can rescue yourself.
Never be limited by other people's limited imaginations.
I want to show little girls that the possibilities are endless. That's my goal - to not only do it for myself, but to show them I can do whatever I put my mind to.
It's wonderful to climb the liquid mountains of the sky. Behind me and before me is God and I have no fears.
Barack knows the American Dream because he's lived it...and he wants everyone in this country to have that same opportunity, no matter who we are, or where we're from, or what we look like, or who we love.
Our breath is brief, and being so Let's make our heaven here below, And lavish kindness as we go.
If you can get them once, man, get them standing up when they should be sitting down, sweaty when they should be decorous, smile when they should be applauding politely-and I think you sort of switch on their brain, man, so that makes them say: 'Wait a minute, maybe I can do anything.' Whoooooo! It's life. That's what rock and roll is for, turn that switch on, and man, it can all be.
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