All imperfection is easier to tolerate if served up in small doses.
Wislawa SzymborskaRead
Get to know other worlds, if only for comparison. I am near, too near for him to dream of me.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote encourages understanding different perspectives and experiences to better appreciate one's own existence.
Wislawa Szymborska's quote highlights the importance of exploring diverse worlds and ideas to gain insights and make meaningful comparisons. The phrase 'I am near, too near for him to dream of me' suggests an intricacy in relationships and perceptions, indicating that proximity can sometimes limit our ability to truly understand or appreciate another person's essence. This invitation to broaden one's horizons serves as a reminder of the complexity of human connection and understanding.
Themes
UnderstandingPerspectiveRelationshipsExplorationComparison
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about cultural exchange, you might use this quote to emphasize the value of understanding different cultures.
More from Wislawa Szymborska
All quotes βI started earning a living as a poet rather early on.
Wislawa SzymborskaRead
But they know about us, they know, the four corners, and the chairs nearby us. Discerning shadows also know, and even the table keeps quiet.
Wislawa SzymborskaRead
I prefer the absurdity of writing poems to the absurdity of not writing poems.
Wislawa SzymborskaRead
I've reached the age of self-knowledge, so I don't know anything. People who claim that they know something are responsible for most of the fuss in the world.
Wislawa SzymborskaRead
Every beginning is only a sequel, after all, and the book of events is always open halfway through.
Wislawa SzymborskaRead
Similar quotes
Truthful words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not truthful. Good words are not persuasive; persuasive words are not good.
LaoziRead
for Mercutio's soul Is but a little way above our heads, Staying for thine to keep him company: Either thou, or I, or both, must go with him.
William ShakespeareRead
The conflict that exists today is no more than an old-style struggle for power, once again presented to mankind in semireligious trappings. The difference is that, this time, the development of atomic power has imbued the struggle with a ghostly character; for both parties know and admit that, should the quarrel deteriorate into actual war, mankind is doomed.
Albert EinsteinRead
A good cause need not be tarnished by its most fanatical expressions. But it is rarely helped by them.
Douglas MurrayRead
Man is not interesting without some imperfection
Soichiro HondaRead
I think objectivity is like this strange myth that people think you're supposed to achieve, but actually, the dirty little secret is that it's not attainable any more than pure justice is attainable by the courts.
Sebastian JungerRead