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In fact, Mr. Watson, it's a queer world, and the longer I live in it the queerer I find it. Once I thought it would be a good idea to regulate things myself and run the world as it ought to be run; but I gave it up long ago. The world's a stage, they say; but the show ain't always amusing, by a long chalk, and sometimes I wish I didn't have a reserved seat.

L. Frank Baum#47

AcceptanceChaosControlFatigueLife

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker admits life is strange and expresses fatigue with trying to control the world, comparing it to a play.
In plain terms
The world is strange, and trying to control it is a tiring job.
What can you take from it?
Accept that the world is unpredictable.

Where it applies

  • dealing with chaos
  • accepting reality
  • feeling tired

Putting it to work

  • let go of control
  • observe life
  • accept mystery

Questions to consider

  • Do you find life confusing?
  • How much control do you have?

Another view

Some situations require active intervention.

More from L. Frank Baum

  1. Electricity was a part of the world from its creation, and therefore my Electra is as old as Daylight or Moonlight, and equally beneficent to mortals and fairi…

    Permalink to quote #46
  2. I think the world is like a great mirror, and reflects our lives just as we ourselves look upon it. Those who turn sad faces toward the world find only sadness…

    Permalink to quote #48
  3. 'We consider a prisoner unfortunate. He is unfortunate in two ways - because he has done something wrong and because he is deprived of his liberty. Therefore w…

    Permalink to quote #45

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