In my years, I have seen that people must be their own gods and make their own good fortune. The bad will come or not come anyway.
Interpretation
Individuals have the power to create their own success, irrespective of external circumstances.
This quote by Octavia Butler emphasizes the importance of self-agency in shaping one's destiny. It suggests that while challenges and negative events may occur in life, it is ultimately up to each person to take charge of their life, make positive choices, and forge their own path to success and happiness. Reliance on external forces or luck is insufficient; personal responsibility and action are crucial for achieving one's goals.
In practice
This quote is perfect for a motivational speech about taking control of one's life.
What I'm working on now - I'm back to fantasy, although considering that it's me, I'm turning it into a kind of science fantasy. It's a vampire story - but my vampires are biological vampires. They didn't become vampires because someone bit them; they were born that way.
Slavery was a long slow process of dulling.
Here I was into astronomy, and here into anthropology, and there I go into geology. It was much more fun to be able to research and write about whatever I wanted to.
There is no end To what a living world Will demand of you.
You don't start out writing good stuff. You start out writing crap and thinking it's good stuff, and then gradually you get better at it. That's why I say one of the most valuable traits is persistence.
Better to stay alive," I said. "At least while there's a chance to get free." I thought of the sleeping pills in my bag and wondered just how great a hypocrite I was. It was so easy to advise other people to live with their pain.
Mad Hatter: Would you like a little more tea? Alice: Well, I haven't had any yet, so I can't very well take more. March Hare: Ah, you mean you can't very well take less. Mad Hatter: Yes. You can always take more than nothing.
An honest tale speeds best being plainly told.
Be proud of your scars. They have everything to do with your strength, and what you've endured. They're a treasure map to the deep self.
Every man on the planet should do some physical work: he should help in the bread-labor of mankind. He should also do some of the intellectual work: he should help in the thought-labor of mankind. In a word, every thinker should work, and every worker should think.
Keep your heart in wonder at the daily miracles of your life.
Don't find fault, find a remedy.
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