One never reaches home, but wherever friendly paths intersect the whole world looks like home for a time.
Interpretation
True belonging is found in relationships and connections rather than a physical place.
This quote by Hermann Hesse speaks to the idea that the concept of 'home' transcends a specific location and is more about the connections we make with others. It suggests that when we encounter friendly interactions and shared experiences, we can find a sense of belonging and comfort anywhere, making the entire world feel like home, if only for a while.
In practice
In a speech about community, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of connections over places.
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.
Happy is the man who knows or even the man who remembers those silent vigils where silence itself was the sign of the communion of souls!
And sometimes you didn't want to know the end⦠because how could the end be happy?
Nothing happens. Nobody comes, nobody goes. It's awful.
Do you wish people to think well of you? Don't speak well of yourself.
Children play soldier. That makes sense. But why do soldiers play children?
Mountains make poor receptacles for dreams.
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