The road to the Olympics, leads to no city, no country. It goes far beyond New York or Moscow, ancient Greece or Nazi Germany. The road to the Olympics leads β in the end β to the best within us.
Jesse OwensRead
The only bond worth anything between human beings is their humanness.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The true connection between people lies in their shared humanity.
In this quote, Jesse Owens emphasizes that the most valuable aspect of human relationships is the fundamental quality that we all share as human beings. It suggests that empathy, understanding, and commonality are what truly unite us, rather than superficial differences such as race, status, or beliefs.
Themes
HumanityConnectionRelationshipsEmpathyUnderstanding
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech at a community gathering, one might say, 'As Jesse Owens said, the only bond worth anything between human beings is their humanness, reminding us to look beyond our differences.'
More from Jesse Owens
All quotes βIf you don't try to win you might as well hold the Olympics in somebody's back yard. The thrill of competing carries with it the thrill of a gold medal. One wants to win to prove himself the best.
Jesse OwensRead
A lifetime of training for just ten seconds.
Jesse OwensRead
In the end, it's extra effort that separates a winner from second place. But winning takes a lot more that that, too. It starts with complete command of the fundamentals. Then it takes desire, determination, discipline, and self-sacrifice. And finally, it takes a great deal of love, fairness and respect for your fellow man. Put all these together, and even if you don't win, how can you lose?
Jesse OwensRead
When I came back, after all those stories about Hitler and his snub, I came back to my native country, and I could not ride in the front of the bus. I had to go to the back door. I couldn't live where I wanted. Now what's the difference?
Jesse OwensRead
I wanted no part of politics. And I wasn't in Berlin to compete against any one athlete. The purpose of the Olympics, anyway, was to do your best. As I'd learned long ago from Charles Riley, the only victory that counts is the one over yourself.
Jesse OwensRead
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