Anytime you see a turtle up on top of a fence post, you know he had some help.
Alex HaleyRead
In all of us there is a hunger, marrow-deep, to know our heritage- to know who we are and where we have come from. Without this enriching knowledge, there is a hollow yearning. No matter what our attainments in life, there is still a vacuum, an emptiness, and the most disquieting loneliness.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Understanding our heritage is essential for a fulfilling life and identity.
Alex Haley's quote emphasizes the fundamental human need to connect with our roots and heritage. Without this knowledge of where we come from, we may feel a deep-seated emptiness and loneliness despite any accomplishments or successes we may attain in life.
Themes
HeritageIdentityKnowledgeSelf-DiscoveryLoneliness
In practice
Example use cases
During a family reunion, one could reference this quote to spark discussions about ancestry.
More from Alex Haley
All quotes →Tying the little folks with the older folks is a great and powerful tool to preserve and to protect the family and the individual.
Alex HaleyRead
That's what happens with writing. Ingredients bubble and cook. Material becomes substance.
Alex HaleyRead
I think one of the most fascinating things you can do after you learn about your own people is to study something about the history and culture of other people.
Alex HaleyRead
In every conceivable manner, the family is link to our past, bridge to our future.
Alex HaleyRead
Either you deal with what is the reality, or you can be sure that the reality is going to deal with you.
Alex HaleyRead
Similar quotes
Cinna wishes to seem poor, and is poor
Marcus AureliusRead
The content or time-clothing of any medium or culture is the preceding medium or culture.
Marshall McluhanRead
You are the true master of death, because the true master does not seek to run away from Death. He accepts that be must die, and understands that there are far, far worse things in the living world than dying.
J. K. RowlingRead
We have to get out of this mindset that the rich will do the business and the poor will have the charity.
Muhammad YunusRead
I remember a time when a cabbage could sell itself by being a cabbage. Nowadays it’s no good being a cabbage – unless you have an agent and pay him a commission. Nothing is free anymore to sell itself or give itself away. These days, Countess, every cabbage has its pimp.
Jean GiraudouxRead
The descent to the infernal regions is easy enough, but to retrace one's steps, and reach the air above, there's the rub.
VirgilRead