Americans have discovered the fragility of life, that ominous fragility that the rest of the world either already experienced or is experiencing now with terrible intensity.
Interpretation
The quote reflects on the delicate nature of life as recognized by Americans, which others around the world have been painfully aware of.
Jose Saramago's quote speaks to the awareness of life's fragility that Americans have recently come to understand, likely in the context of significant events or crises. This notion of fragility is not new to many communities around the world who live in constant awareness of life's precariousness, facing hardships that bring this reality to the forefront. The quote urges us to acknowledge and empathize with these global experiences, highlighting a shared human condition.
In practice
This quote can be used in a speech about the importance of appreciating life during difficult times.
Why did we become blind, I don't know, perhaps one day we'll find out, Do you want me to tell you what I think, Yes, do, I don't think we did go blind, I think we are blind, Blind but seeing, Blind people who can see, but do not see.
I can't imagine myself outside any kind of social or political involvement. Yes, I'm a writer, but I live in this world, and my writing doesn't exist on a separate level. And if people know who I am and read my books, well, good; that way, if I have something more to say, then everyone benefits.
...you have to leave the island in order to see the island, that we can't see ourselves unless we become free of ourselves, Unless we escape from ourselves you mean, No, that's not the same thing.
Whether we like it or not, the one justification for the existence of all religions is death, they need death as much as we need bread to eat.
With the passage of time, as well as the social evolution and genetic exchange, we ended up putting our conscience in the color of our blood and the salt of our tears.
En ningún momento de la historia, en ningún lugar del planeta, las religiones han servido para que los seres humanos se acerquen unos a los otros. Por el contrario, sólo han servido para separar, para quemar, para torturar. No creo en dios, no lo necesito y además soy buena persona.
The best way to make room for both life and career is to make choices deliberately-to set limits and stick to them.
We all live inside bodies that will deteriorate. But when you look at human beings, they're capable of very decent things: love, loyalty. When time is running out, they don't care about possessions or status. They want to put things right if they've done wrong.
I had been simply treating water, settling on surviving and avoiding pain rather than being actively involved in seeking out life.
Nothing would give up life: Even the dirt keeps breathing a small breath.
Every morning I jump out of bed and step on a landmine. The landmine is me. After the explosion, I spent the rest of the day putting the pieces together.
I have so much going on inside my head in terms of writing, there's such a large space in my life taken up by that. I can't imagine it being taken up by a husband and children and writing, and everything getting its due. I don't believe there is room for all of it. I really don't.
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