Life is always frightful. We cannot help it and we are responsible all the same. One's born and at once one is guilty.
Interpretation
Life is inherently challenging, and despite its difficulties, we are responsible for our actions and choices.
Hermann Hesse's quote reflects on the existential nature of life, acknowledging that it is filled with fears and responsibilities from the moment we are born. It emphasizes the idea that, although life can be daunting, we must embrace our responsibilities and the inherent guilt that comes from human existence, prompting us to confront the complexities of our choices.
In practice
During a motivational speech about personal accountability, this quote can be used to emphasize the importance of owning one's choices.
I shall no longer be instructed by the Yoga Veda or the Aharva Veda, or the ascetics, or any other doctrine whatsoever. I shall learn from myself, be a pupil of myself; I shall get to know myself, the mystery of Siddhartha." He looked around as if he were seeing the world for the first time.
That is where my dearest and brightest dreams have ranged β to hear for the duration of a heartbeat the universe and the totality of life in its mysterious, innate harmony.
I, also, would like to look and smile, sit and walk like that, so free, so worthy, so restrained, so candid, so childlike and mysterious. A man only looks and walks like that when he has conquered his Self. I also will conquer my Self.
You're quite right there," he said. "I have practiced abstinence myself for years, and had my time of fasting, too, but now I find myself once more beneath the sign of Aquarius, a dark and humid constellation.
I call that man awake who, with conscious knowledge and understanding, can perceive the deep unreasoning powers in his soul, his whole innermost strength, desire and weakness, and knows how to reckon with himself.
Despair is the result of each earnest attempt to go through life with virtue, justice and understanding, and to fulfill their requirements. Children live on one side of despair, the awakened on the other side.
This is his first punishment, that by the verdict of his own heart no guilty man is acquitted.
If gratitude, when exerted towards another, naturally produces a very pleasing sensation in the mind of a grateful man, it exalts the soul into rapture when it is employed on this great object of gratitude to the beneficent Being who has given us everything we already possess, and from whom we expect everything we yet hope for.
When we believe that we should be satisfied rather than God glorified in our worship, then we put God below ourselves as though He had been made for us rather than that we had been made for Him.
It is the pull of opposite poles that stretches souls. And only stretched souls make music.
The world wavered and quivered and threatened to burst into flames.
It makes me feel guilty that anybody should have such a good time doing what they are supposed to do.
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