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Do you agree with Thoreau?
Lynne:
Ii found another quote attributed to Thoreau:
"We must walk consciously only part way toward our goal and then leap in the dark to our success."
– Henry David Thoreau
Does the 'leap in the dark' part remind anyone else of Jack?
Front-Ranger:
The "leap in the dark" part does, but not the "to our success" part. That's a really wonderful quote though, Lynn.
I find it sadly ironic that Jack, who broke free of the crushing poverty and hypocrisy of Wyoming and became a successful and well-off salesman with an intact family was lamenting near the end of the story that "Nothing ever came to my hand the right way." Success certainly does not automatically bring happiness, it's true.
Lynne:
--- Quote from: Front-Ranger on June 19, 2006, 02:08:05 pm ---The "leap in the dark" part does, but not the "to our success" part. That's a really wonderful quote though, Lynn.
I find it sadly ironic that Jack, who broke free of the crushing poverty and hypocrisy of Wyoming and became a successful and well-off salesman with an intact family was lamenting near the end of the story that "Nothing ever came to my hand the right way." Success certainly does not automatically bring happiness, it's true.
--- End quote ---
I completely agree, FrontRanger. My reading was that the 'success' is by no means a guarantee, but that the leap is necessary to have a shot at the success...I guess it is that willingness to take the leap that reminds me so much of beloved Jack. And why I want to be more like Jack.
The 'nothing ever came to my hand the right way' always makes me sad...it's a reminder for me that how you get where you want to be is as important (or more) than the destination.
Front-Ranger:
After all this time...I ain't found somethin else to believe in...
Most people DO think that lives are passed in quiet desperation...according to this poll! According to this poll, Thoreau was right! But, he didn't have the Internet, and we do! So now, we can complain as much as Jack does about our lot. Maybe it will do as much good as Jack's complainin did him, but at least it led him to companionship, and believe me, U can withstand a lot more if it's a "we're all in this together" type of an unsatisfactory situation!!
Front-Ranger:
"One thing all happy people share is that they all had taken a very significant risk in their lives." - Gail SHeehy, Passages
I just thought this was an interesting quote.
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