Yes, now I understood for the first time that my soul was not so poor and empty as it had seemed to me, and that it had been only the sun that was lacking to open all its germs, and buds to the light.
Interpretation
This quote expresses the idea that one's inner potential is often hidden and requires external factors, like enlightenment or inspiration, to be fully realized.
Max Muller's quote reflects a profound realization about the richness of the human soul. It suggests that individuals often underestimate their inner wealth and potential. The metaphor of the sun symbolizes enlightenment or inspiration that can awaken and nurture the dormant aspects of one's character and abilities, much like how sunlight encourages plants to grow and flourish.
In practice
In a motivational speech to inspire personal growth and self-realization.
Would not the child's heart break in despair when the first cold storm of the world sweeps over it, if the warm sunlight of love from the eyes of mother and father did not shine upon him like the soft reflection of divine light and love?
Old age is the most unexpected of all things that happen to a man.
It is not that the Englishman can't feel-it is that he is afraid to feel. He has been taught at his public school that feeling is bad form. He must not express great joy or sorrow, or even open his mouth too wide when he talks-his pipe might fall out if he did.
The most incomprehensible thing about the world is that it is comprehensible.
So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things.
If you're based in two places, on a bad day you see only the disadvantages everywhere. On a bad day, returning to Germany brings back all kinds of spectres from the past.
Disability is not a brave struggle or 'courage in the face of adversity.' Disability is an art. It's an ingenious way to live.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.