Lots of people talk to animals... Not very many listen, though... That's the problem.
Benjamin HoffRead
The honey doesn't taste so good once it is being eaten; the goal doesn't mean so much once it is reached; the reward is no so rewarding once it has been given. If we add up all the rewards in our lives, we won't have very much. But if we add up the spaces *between* the rewards, we'll come up with quite a bit. And if we add up the rewards *and* the spaces, then we'll have everything - every minute of the time that we spent.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The value of life lies not just in achievements, but in the moments between them.
This quote highlights the idea that while achieving goals and receiving rewards can be fulfilling, the true essence of life is found in the experiences and moments that occur between these achievements. It suggests that the focus should not solely be on the rewards, but also on appreciating the journey and the memories created along the way. In this context, both the achievements and the spaces in between are essential to the richness of life.
Themes
LifeMomentsExperiencesJourneyRewards
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about finding joy in life's journey, one might reference this quote.
More from Benjamin Hoff
All quotes →The masters of life know the way, for they listen to the voice within them, the voice of wisdom and simplicity, the voice that reasons beyond cleverness and knows beyond knowledge.
Benjamin HoffRead
How can you get very far, If you don't know who you are? How can you do what you ought, If you don't know what you've got? And if you don't know which to do Of all the things in front of you, Then what you'll have when you are through Is just a mess without a clue Of all the best that can come true If you know What and Which and Who.
Benjamin HoffRead
We don't need to shift our responsibilities onto the shoulders of some deified Spiritual Superman, or sit around and wait for Fate to come knocking at the door. We simply need to believe in the power that's within us, and use it. When we do that, and stop imitating others and competing against them, things begin to work for us.
Benjamin HoffRead
And when you try too hard, it doesn't work. Try grabbing something quickly and precisely with a tensed-up arm; then relax and try it again. Try doing something with a tense mind. The surest way to become Tense, Awkward, and Confused is to develop a mind that tries too hard-one that thinks too much.
Benjamin HoffRead
When we give up our images of self-importance and our ideas of what should be, we can help things become what they need to be.
Benjamin HoffRead
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The world says: "You have needs - satisfy them. You have as much right as the rich and the mighty. Don't hesitate to satisfy your needs; indeed, expand your needs and demand more." This is the worldly doctrine of today. And they believe that this is freedom. The result for the rich is isolation and suicide, for the poor, envy and murder.
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There are times when sorrow seems to me to be the only truth.
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