It seems that fighting is a game where everybody is the loser.
Zora Neale HurstonRead
Tain't no use in you cryin' . . . But folks is meant to cry 'bout somethin' or other. Better leave things de way dey is. Youse young yet. No tellin' whut mout happen befo' you die.
Interpretation
Acceptance of life's hardships is essential, while understanding that change is inevitable.
This quote reflects the notion that crying over life's struggles often doesn't change the situation, yet it acknowledges the human tendency to feel deeply about matters. Hurston suggests that while it may be better to accept things as they are, life is full of surprises, emphasizing the unpredictability and potential for change in one's life journey.
In practice
In a speech about resilience, this quote can highlight the importance of facing challenges with acceptance.
It seems that fighting is a game where everybody is the loser.
Lack of power and opportunity passes off too often for virtue.
From barren brown stems to glistening leaf-buds; from the leaf-buds to snowy virginity of bloom…It was like a flute song forgotten in another existence and remembered again. What? How? Why? This singing she heard that had nothing to do with her ears. The rose of the world was breathing out smell. It followed her through all her waking moments and caressed her in her sleep.
Someone is always at my elbow reminding me that I am the granddaughter of slaves. It fails to register depression with me.
Don't you realize that the sea is the home of water? All water is off on a journey unless it's in the sea, and it's homesick, and bound to make its way home someday.
Two things everybody's got tuh do fuh theyselves. They got tuh go tuh God, and they got tuh find out about livin' fuh theyselves.
I used to think the years would go by in order, that you get older one year at a time. But it's not like that. It happens overnight.
I had gotten to a place where I truly believed everything I was called: 'not sexy,' 'not funny,' 'too intense,' desperate.' All those labels they gave me, I took them because there wasn't a trace of my true self left.
Starting a long way off the true point, and proceeding by loops and zigzags , we now and then arrive just where we ought to be.
I'm in a place in my life where I get offered parts that I didn't get offered before - fathers and uncles and grandfathers and so on. And it took me a long time to get to that place, but I'm glad because it opens up new territory.
The latitude and longitudinal lines of where you are born determine your opportunity in life, and it's not equal. We may have been created equal, but we're not born equal. It's a lot to do with luck and you have to pass that on.
Life is so uncertain: you never know what could happen. One way to deal with that is to keep your pajamas washed.
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