anyone who gets up early by inclination or has been forced to rise early out of necessity finds it intolerable that others should go on sleeping soundly
Interpretation
The quote expresses the frustration of early risers when others remain asleep, highlighting the differing perspectives on early rising.
In this quote, José Saramago reflects on the experience and feelings of those who rise early, either voluntarily or out of necessity. The intolerable nature of seeing others sleep soundly while one is already awake suggests a sense of longing for shared experience, empathy, and sometimes resentment towards those who do not understand the challenges and responsibilities that come with being an early riser.
In practice
This quote could be used in a motivational speech to encourage productivity among early risers.
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.
If I stayed here, something inside me would be lost forever—something I couldn't afford to lose. It was like a vague dream, a burning, unfulfilled desire. The kind of dream people have only when they're seventeen.
I'm looking forward to being able to retire from being a public figure and being able to afford to be myself!
I have spent my life going from mania to mania. Somehow it has all paid off.
I loved running, but all of a sudden everything hurt so much. I started cycling when Zelda was born.
Don't be on your deathbed someday, having squandered your one chance at life, full of regret because you pursued little distractions instead of big dreams.
I think when you give, that's probably the highest form of living. It's better than almost any feeling you could think of. It's way better than scoring touchdowns to me.
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