The only thing in the world worth a damn is the strange, touching, pathetic, awesome nobility of the individual human spirit.
Interpretation
The essence of humanity lies in the individuality and resilience of each person.
This quote emphasizes the profound value of the individual human spirit, suggesting that the true worth of existence is found in the unique struggles, emotions, and dignities of each person. It acknowledges the complexity and nobility inherent in each individual, recognizing both their vulnerability and strength as key elements of the human experience.
In practice
In a motivational speech about perseverance and human strength.
At times it seems as if arranging to have no commitment of any kind to anyone would be a special freedom. But in fact the whole idea works in reverse. The most deadly commitment of all is to be committed only to one's self. Some come to realize this after they are in the nursing home.
Integrity is not a conditional word. It doesn't blow in the wind or change with the weather.
On some other world, possibly it is different. Better. There are clear good and evil alternatives. Not these obscure admixtures, these blends, with no proper tool by which to untangle the components.
I believe in only one thing: liberty; but I do not believe in liberty enough to want to force it upon anyone.
Unseen in the background, Fate was quietly slipping lead into the boxing-glove.
If I ask you to plunge into the Ganga or to jump from the roof of a house, meaning it all for your good, could you do even that without any hesitations Just think of it even now; otherwise don't rush forward on the spur of the moment to accept me as your Guru.
When I die I won't go to heaven or hell; there will just be nothingness.
The end of childhood is when things cease to astonish us. When the world seems familiar, when one has got used to existence, one has become an adult.
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