QuoteProject
Mankind owns four things that are no good at sea: rudder, anchor, oars and the fear of going down.
Antonio Machado
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Fear can hinder progress and exploration, especially in challenging situations.

This quote by Antonio Machado highlights the idea that certain tools and instincts, like a rudder, anchor, and oars, may be rendered ineffective when faced with the uncertainties of life, represented by the sea. The fear of failure or adversity can prevent individuals from navigating successfully through challenges, suggesting that overcoming fear is essential for growth and adventure.

Themes

FearCourageExplorationAdventureLife Challenges

In practice

Example use cases

During a motivational speech about facing challenges in life.

More from Antonio Machado

All uncertainty is fruitfull ... so long as it is accompanied by the wish to understand
Antonio MachadoRead
Has my heart gone to sleep? Have the beehives of my dreams stopped working, the waterwheel of the mind run dry, scoops turning empty, only shadow inside? No, my heart is not asleep. It is awake, wide awake. Not asleep, not dreamingβ€” its eyes are opened wide watching distant signals, listening on the rim of vast silence
Antonio MachadoRead
No one can shed light on vices he does not have or afflictions he has ever experienced.
Antonio MachadoRead
XXIX Traveler, there is no path. The path is made by walking. Traveller, the path is your tracks And nothing more. Traveller, there is no path The path is made by walking. By walking you make a path And turning, you look back At a way you will never tread again Traveller, there is no road Only wakes in the sea.
Antonio MachadoRead
I. Don't trace out your profile-- forget your side view-- all that is outer stuff. II. Look for your other half who walks always next to you and tends to be who you aren't.
Antonio MachadoRead
Life is the path you beat while you walk it It's the walking that beats the path It is not the path that makes the walk
Antonio MachadoRead

Similar quotes

I am yet too young to understand that God is any respecter of persons. I believe that to have interfered as I have done...in behalf of His despised poor, was not wrong, but right. Now, if it is deemed necessary that I should forfeit my life for the furtherance of the ends of justice, and mingle my blood further with the blood of my children, and with the blood of millions in this slave country whose rights are disregarded by wicked, cruel, and unjust enactments, I submit: so let it be done!
John BrownRead
I am never proud to participate in violence, yet I know that each of us must care enough for ourselves that we can be ready and able to come to our own defense when and wherever needed.
Maya AngelouRead
I had long wondered," Lan said to Tam. "About the man who had given Rand that heron-marked blade. I wondered if he had truly earned it. Now I know." Lan raised his own sword in salute.
Robert JordanRead
SEALs aren't the only heroes out there. Everyone who puts on a uniform meets that threshold.
William H. McravenRead
Tomorrow do thy worst, I have lived today.
John DrydenRead
Come to the edge.' 'We can't. We're afraid.' 'Come to the edge.' 'We can't. We will fall!' 'Come to the edge.' And they came. And he pushed them. And they flew.
Guillaume ApollinaireRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.