I write poetry because I can’t disobey the impulse; it would be like blocking a spring that surges up in my throat. For a long time I’ve been the servant of the song that comes, that appears and can’t be buried away. How to seal myself up now?…It no longer matters to me who receives what I submit. What I carry out is, in that respect, greater and deeper than I, I am merely the channel.
Now my belly is as noble as my heart.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of both physical and emotional well-being as equally valuable.
Gabriela Mistral's quote reflects a profound connection between the physical self and the emotional or spiritual self. By stating that her 'belly is as noble as my heart', she suggests that both the body and the heart (or compassion) hold equal worth and dignity. This recognition implies that taking care of one's physical health is as important as nurturing one's emotional and moral integrity, promoting a holistic view of a person's identity and well-being.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about self-care, one might say, 'As Gabriela Mistral wisely noted, my belly is as noble as my heart, reminding us to honor our physical and emotional health equally.'
More from Gabriela Mistral
All quotes →You shall create beauty not to excite the senses but to give sustenance to the soul.
Many things can wait. Children cannot. Today their bones are being formed, their blood is being made, their senses are being developed. To them we cannot say "tomorrow." Their name is today.
Many things we need can wait. The child cannot. Now is the time his bones are formed, his mind developed. To him we cannot say tomorrow, his name is today.
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