Do not underestimate the human being, who sometimes appears so simple. Even with sight as sharp as an eagle, a mind as sharp as a razor, senses more powerful than gods, hearing that can catch the music and the lamentations of life, your knowledge of humanity will never be total.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the complexity of human beings and suggests that true understanding of humanity is elusive.
Pramoedya Ananta Toer's quote highlights the intricacies of human nature and cautions against underestimating people based on their superficial appearances. Despite having remarkable abilities and sharp perceptions, one cannot claim to fully comprehend the depths of humanity, as each individual carries their own stories, emotions, and complexities that go beyond mere observation.
In practice
This quote can be used in a discussion about the nature of empathy and understanding in psychology classes.
I will not close my eyes, neither those in my head nor those in my soul, as the ship carries me away, along with my future, my dreams, and my beliefs. Buru Island is no happy land somewhere; it's but a way station on my journey in life—though to believe even that much will require no small measure of hope.
I soon discovered that man's importunity is God's opportunity. he uses our problems as building materials for his miracles. I began to understand that this was my first lesson in learning to trust him completely, my first steps on the path to complete dependence on, and obedience to, his guidance.
Of course I'm crazy, but that doesn't mean I'm wrong.
Anger is a signal that you're distracted by judgmental or punitive thinking, and that some precious need of yours is being ignored.
Meditation is like a single log of wood. Insight and investigation are one end of the log; calm and concentration are the other end. If you lift up the whole log, both sides come up at once. Which is concentration and which is insight? Just this mind.
Personal growth has its price, and she was paying it without complaint.
It is simply this: do not tire, never lose interest, never grow indifferent—lose your invaluable curiosity and you let yourself die. It's as simple as that.
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