It is greater than the stars - that moving procession of human energy; greater than the palpitating earth and the things growing thereon.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the profound and dynamic nature of human energy and its significance over the physical elements of the universe.
In this quote, Kate Chopin reflects on the extraordinary power and vitality of human existence, suggesting that the collective energy of humanity surpasses even the grandeur of the stars and the life on Earth. This perspective encourages appreciation for human potential and interconnectedness, highlighting that our actions and relationships hold immense value in the grand scheme of existence.
In practice
During a motivational speech on the importance of teamwork, you might quote this to emphasize the power of collective human effort.
She looked into the distance, and the old terror flamed up for an instant, then sank again. Edna heard her father's voice and her sister Margaret's. She heard the barking of an old dog that was chained to the sycamore tree. The spurs of the cavalry officer clanged as he walked across the porch. There was the hum of bees, and the musky odor of pinks filled the air. (last lines)
There were days when she was unhappy, she did not know why,--when it did not seem worthwhile to be glad or sorry, to be alive or dead; when life appeared to her like a grotesque pandemonium and humanity like worms struggling blindly toward inevitable annihilation.
She's got some sort of notion in her head concerning the eternal rights of women.
Well, for instance, when I left her today, she put her arms around me and felt my shoulder blades, to see if my wings were strong, she said.
I would give up the unessential; I would give my money, I would give my life for my children; but I wouldn't give myself.
There would be no one there to live for her during those coming years; she would live for herself. There would be no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistance with which men and women believe they have a right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature. A kind intention or a cruel intention made the act seem no less a crime as she looked upon it in that brief moment of illumination.
The experiences are so innumerable and varied, that the journey appears to be interminable and the Destination is ever out of sight. But the wonder of it is, when at last you reach your Destination you find that you had never travelled at all! It was a journey from here to Here.
That his prayer was nothing else but a sense of the presence of GOD, his soul being at that time insensible to everything but Divine love: and that when the appointed times of prayer were past, he found no difference, because he still continued with GOD, praising and blessing Him with all his might, so that he passed his life in continual joy; yet hoped that GOD would give him somewhat to suffer, when he should grow stronger.
If goodness has causes, it is not goodness; if it has effects, a reward, it is not goodness either. So goodness is outside the chain of cause and effect.
As we go through life we gradually discover who we are, but the more we discover, the more we lose ourselves.
Justice without force is powerless; force without justice is tyrannical.
My ancestors were Brahmins. They spent their lives in search of god. I am spending my life in search of man.
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