Jump off. You are a protected individual. Do not fear.
Henry MillerRead
When you surrender, the problem ceases to exist. Try to solve it, or conquer it, and you only set up more resistance. . . . The most difficult thing to admit, and to realize with one's whole being, is that you alone control nothing. . . .
Interpretation
What this quote means
Surrendering to a problem can lead to peace, while resisting it only increases struggle.
This quote by Henry Miller highlights the paradox of surrendering to challenges rather than fighting against them. It suggests that accepting the reality of a situation allows for personal peace and a clearer perspective, whereas constantly trying to control or overcome issues can lead to more conflict and suffering. Ultimately, it points to the importance of recognizing the limits of personal control in the face of life's complexities.
Themes
SurrenderControlAcceptanceResistancePeace
In practice
Example use cases
In a meditation class while discussing methods of finding inner peace.
More from Henry Miller
All quotes →I saw through to the last sign and symbol, but I could not read her face. I could see only the eyes shining through, huge, fleshy-like luminous beasts, as though I were swimming behind them in the electric effluvia of her incandescent vision.
Henry MillerRead
The essential thing is to WANT to sing. This then is a song. I am singing.
Henry MillerRead
Great God! What have I turned into? What right have you people to clutter up my life, steal my time, probe my soul, suckle my thoughts, have me for your companion, confidant, and information bureau? What do you take me for? Am I an entertainer on salary, required every evening to play an intellectual farce under your stupid noses? Am I a slave, bought and paid for, to crawl on my belly in front of you idlers and lay at your feet all that I do and all that I know?
Henry MillerRead
We are swimming on the face of time and all else has drowned, is drowning, or will drown.
Henry MillerRead
To sing you must first open your mouth. You must have a pair of lungs, and a little knowledge of music. It is not necessary to have an accordion, or a guitar. The essential thing is to want to sing. This then is a song. I am singing.
Henry MillerRead
Similar quotes
But when I know that the glass is already broken, every minute with it is precious.
Ajahn ChahRead
We will have taken one giant step forward when we face this reality: Powerful people never teach powerless people how to take their power away from them.
John Henrik ClarkeRead
It is a wise thing to be polite; consequently, it is a stupid thing to be rude. To make enemies by unnecessary and willful incivility, is just as insane a proceeding as to set your house on fire. For politeness is like a counter--an avowedly false coin, with which it is foolish to be stingy.
Arthur SchopenhauerRead
But if our sex would but well consider and rationally ponder, they will perceive and find that it is neither words nor place that can advance them, but worth and merit.
Margaret CavendishRead
George Washington, as a boy, was ignorant of the commonest accomplishments of youth. He could not even lie.
Mark TwainRead
First learn to become invincible, then wait for your enemy's moment of vulnerability.
Sun TzuRead