The new daily routine: the literary quote of the day…
For those who already read a lot, perhaps you recognize the quote and want to leave a comment about it / the author… or perhaps it makes you realize that you did not read the specific essay, article, book, story, poem, etc. it was taken from and you might want to read it now.
For those who don’t read a lot, hopefully this ‘routine’ will make you realize that you’re missing out on a lot. Hopefully it will inspire you to read more.
The world of literature is rich… richer than anyone can imagine.
Today’s quote is from Frederick Douglass‘, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself.
As I read and contemplated the subject, behold! that very discontentment which Master Hugh had predicted would follow m learning to read had alread come, to torment and sting m soul to unutterable anguish. As I writhed under it, I would at times feel that learning to read had been a curse rather than a blessing. It had given me a view of my wretched condition, without the remedy. It opened my eyes to the horrible pit, but to no ladder upon which to get out. In moments of agony, I envied my fellow-slaves for their stupidity. I have often wished myself a beast. I preferred the condition of the meanest reptile to my own. Any thing, no matter what, to get rid of thinking! It was this everlasting thinking of my condition that tormented me. There was no getting rid of it. It was pressed upon me by every object within sight or hearing, animate or inanimate. The silver trump of freedom had roused my soul to eternal wakefulness. Freedom now appeared, to disappear no more forever. It was heard in every sound, and seen in every thing. It was ever present to torment me with a sense of my wretched condition. I saw nothing without seeing it, I heard nothing without hearing it, and felt nothing without feeling it. It looked from every star, it smiled in every calm, breathed in every wind, and moved in every storm.
As always, share your quote of the day in the comment section below or simply join the debate.
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