The man who has sufficient power over himself to wait until his nature has recovered its even balance is the truly wise man, but such beings are seldom met with.
Giacomo CasanovaRead
The reader of these Memoirs will discover that I never had any fixed aim before my eyes, and that my system, if it can be called a system, has been to glide away unconcernedly on the stream of life, trusting to the wind wherever it led.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Casanova reflects on his aimless approach to life, suggesting a detachment and openness to experiences.
In this quote, Giacomo Casanova discusses his lack of a predetermined goal in life, conveying a philosophy of trust in the natural flow of experiences. He emphasizes a mindset of acceptance and adaptability, suggesting that life's journey is best navigated without rigid plans, allowing oneself to be guided by circumstance and intuition.
Themes
AimlessnessLifeJourneyPhilosophyTrust
In practice
Example use cases
During a graduation speech, one might use this quote to encourage students to embrace life's unpredictable nature.
More from Giacomo Casanova
All quotes βI have met with some of them - very honest fellows, who, with all their stupidity, had a kind of intelligence and an upright good sense, which cannot be the characteristics of fools.
Giacomo CasanovaRead
From that moment our love became sad, and sadness is a disease which gives the death-blow to affection.
Giacomo CasanovaRead
The mind of a human being is formed only of comparisons made in order to examine analogies, and therefore cannot precede the existence of memory.
Giacomo CasanovaRead
For my future I have no concern, and as a true philosopher, I never would have any, for I know not what it may be: as a Christian, on the other hand, faith must believe without discussion, and the stronger it is, the more it keeps silent.
Giacomo CasanovaRead
I have had friends who have acted kindly towards me, and it has been my good fortune to have it in my power to give them substantial proofs of my gratitude.
Giacomo CasanovaRead
Similar quotes
They say of me, and so they should, It's doubtful if I come to good. I see acquaintances and friends Accumulating dividends And making enviable names In science, art and parlor games. But I, despite expert advice, Keep doing things I think are nice, And though to good I never come Inseparable my nose and thumb.
Dorothy ParkerRead
Democracy is a poor system of government at best; the only thing that can honestly be said in its favor is that it is eight times as good as any other method the human race has ever tried.
Robert A. HeinleinRead
I don't like the term 'colour-blind' - because I don't want people to be blind to my colour.
Ruth NeggaRead
Crime is the price society pays for abandoning character.
James Q. WilsonRead
The fact that we can't easily foresee clues that would betray an intelligence a million millennia farther down the road suggests that we're like ants trying to discover humans. Ask yourself: Would ants ever recognize houses, cars, or fire hydrants as the work of advanced biology?
Seth ShostakRead
Increasingly, corporate nationality is whatever a corporation decides it is.
Robert ReichRead