They accepted the pleasures of morning, the bright sun, the whelming sea and sweet air, as a time when play was good and life so full that hope was not necessary and therefore forgotten.
Interpretation
This quote reflects the simple joys and fullness of life in the present moment.
William Golding's quote emphasizes the beauty of living in the present, where the pleasures of nature and the joy of play can fill one's life to the point that hope for the future seems unnecessary. It suggests that when one fully experiences the moment—such as enjoying a sunny morning by the sea—there is no need for hope, as the present is fulfilling enough.
In practice
This quote can be shared in a mindfulness workshop to encourage living in the moment.
Consider a man riding a bicycle. Whoever he is, we can say three things about him. We know he got on the bicycle and started to move. We know that at some point he will stop and get off. Most important of all, we know that if at any point between the beginning and the end of his journey he stops moving and does not get off the bicycle he will fall off it. That is a metaphor for the journey through life of any living thing, and I think of any society of living things.
The skull regarded Ralph like one who knows all the answers and won't tell.
Maybe, he said hesitantly, maybe there is a beast. The assembly cried out savagely and Ralph stood up in amazement. You, Simon? You believe in this? I don't know, said Simon. His heartbeats were choking him. [...] Ralph shouted. Hear him! He's got the conch! What I mean is . . . maybe it's only us. Nuts! That was from Piggy, shocked out of decorum.
The mask was a thing on it's own, behind which Jack hid, liberated from shame and self-conciousness.
Man produces evil as a bee produces honey.
Utopias are presented for our inspection as a critique of the human state.
I enjoy life when things are happening. I don't care if it's good things or bad things. That means you're alive.
The unexpected and the incredible belong in this world. Only then is life whole.
Why do we protect children from life? It's no wonder that we become afraid to live. We're not told what life really is. We're not told that life is joy and wonder and magic and even rapture, if you can get involved enough. We're not told that life is also pain, misery, despair, unhappiness, and tears. I don't know about you, but I don't want to miss any of it. I want to embrace life, and I want to find out what it's all about. I wouldn't want to go through life without knowing what it is to cry.
I don't think I'll ever act again. I have so many wonderful memories, but those days are over.
The men in this book are fictitious characters but their counterparts can be found in cockpits all over the world. Now they are flying a war. Tomorrow they will be flying a peace, for, regardless of the world's condition, flying is their life.
That's how it is sometimes--God comes to your window, all bright light and black wings, and you're just too tired to open it.
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