I was born in a world of opera, theatre, films, poetry, art, and therefore, out of the wire, I made a stage. That's why they call me a high wire artist.
Philippe PetitRead
I am not up there by chance. I am there by choice. And I know the wire. And I know my limits. And I am a madman of details.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of choice and awareness in achieving one's goals.
Philippe Petit's quote reflects the dedication and intentionality required to accomplish extraordinary feats. He highlights that his success as a high-wire artist isn't due to luck but rather stems from conscious decisions, deep understanding of his craft, and meticulous attention to detail, illustrating the importance of recognizing one's limits and capabilities in pursuit of one's passions.
In practice
This quote can be used in a motivational speech to encourage others to take control of their destinies.
I was born in a world of opera, theatre, films, poetry, art, and therefore, out of the wire, I made a stage. That's why they call me a high wire artist.
On a very long and very high wire, I will not hope to not be blown off by high winds. I will have the certitude that such could not happen.
Many people use the words 'death defying' or 'death wishing' when they talk about wire-walking. Many people have asked me: 'So do you have a death wish?' After doing a beautiful walk, I feel like punching them in the nose. It's indecent. I have a life wish.
It's very easy to walk on a wire if you spend a whole lifetime practicing for it.
It is treacherous on a high wire to change your focus point and suddenly look down.
If I had been born in the circus, my parents would have pushed me on that little high wire at four years old. That's when the body is most limber to learn those acrobatics.
It is foolish to fear that which you cannot avoid. -Stultum est timere quod vitare non potes
My optimism and confidence come not from feeling I'm luckier than other mortals, and they sure don't come from visualizing victory. They're the result of a lifetime spent visualizing defeat and figuring out how to prevent it. Like most astronauts, I'm pretty sure that I can deal with what life throws at me because I've thought about what to do if things go wrong, as well as right. That's the power of negative thinking.
Little boldness is needed to assail the opinions and practices of notoriously wicked men; but to rebuke great and good men for their conduct, and to impeach their discernment, is the highest effort of moral courage.
...people think non-violence is really weak and non-militant. These are misconceptions that people have because they don't understand what non-violence means. Non-violence takes more guts, if I can put it bluntly, than violence. Most violent acts are accomplished by getting the opponent off guard, and it doesn't take that much character, I think, if one wants to do it.
We just were saying no more police brutality. And we had enough of police harassment in the Village and other places.
We wait till now? Now, when we're old men, we get to be brave?
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