Poverty is uncomfortable; but nine times out of ten the best thing that can happen to a young man is to be tossed overboard and compelled to sink or swim.
Interpretation
Facing challenges, like poverty, can lead to personal growth and strength.
Garfield's quote suggests that while poverty is indeed a difficult and uncomfortable situation, it often forces individuals to confront their limitations and develop resilience. The metaphor of being 'tossed overboard' implies that sometimes being pushed out of one's comfort zone can lead to significant personal growth, as it compels one to adapt and thrive, much like learning to swim in deep waters. Such experiences can ultimately shape a person's character and abilities.
In practice
This quote can inspire young adults facing financial hardships to embrace their situation as a chance to grow.
Statistical science is indispensable to modern statesmanship. In legislation as in physical science it is beginning to be understood that we can control terrestrial forces only by obeying their laws. The legislator must formulate in his statutes not only the national will, but also those great laws of social life revealed by statistics.
I am trying to do two things: dare to be a radical and not a fool, which is a matter of no small difficulty.
Justice and goodwill will outlast passion.
Now more than ever the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption.
If the power to do hard work is not a skill, it's the best possible substitute for it.
Next in importance to freedom and justice is popular education, without which neither freedom nor justice can be permanently maintained.
Wear scarlet! Tear the green lemons off the tree! I don't want to forget who I am, what has burned in me, and hang limp and clean, an empty dress -
Oh, how great peace and quietness would he possess who should cut off all vain anxiety and place all his confidence in God.
Stop looking for peace. Give yourselves where you are. Stop looking at yourselves, look instead at your brothers and sisters in need. Ask how you can better love your brothers and sisters. Then you will find peace.
Ah! realize your youth while you have it. Donβt squander the gold of your days, listening to the tedious, trying to improve the hopeless failure, or giving away your life to the ignorant, the common, and the vulgar. These are the sickly aims, the false ideals, of our age. Live! Live the wonderful life that is in you! Let nothing be lost upon you. Be always searching for new sensations. Be afraid of nothing.
I don't know exactly where ideas come from, it's just a matter of us figuring out how to receive the ideas waiting to be heard.
Everything you need to know is within you. Listen. Feel. Trust the body's wisdom.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.