Before my eyes are many miserable scenes, the suffering of others and myself forces my hands to move. I become a machine for writing.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Seeing suffering compels the author to write continuously, almost like a machine.
- In plain terms
- Seeing suffering makes me write constantly to respond to it.
- What can you take from it?
- Witnessing suffering can compel continuous creative response.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you respond to the suffering of others?
- What compels you to take action?
Another view
Writing about suffering does not always lead to tangible change.
More from Ba Jin
I write just because the fire of my emotion is burning. Had I not, I would not have been able to find peace.
Permalink to quote #6 Only by not forgetting the past can we be the master of the future.
Permalink to quote #8 I've lived on royalties all my life. It is the readers who have supported me.
Permalink to quote #5
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