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O grandes e gravissimos perigos! O caminho de vida nunca certo: Que aonde a gente poe sua esperanca, Tenha a vida tao pouca seguranca! No mar tanta tormenta, e tanto dano, Tantas vezes a morte apercebida! Na terra tanta guerra, tanto engano, Tanta necessidade avorrecida! Onde pode acolher-se um fraco humano, Onde tera segura a curta vida, Que nao se arme, e se indigne o Ceu sereno Contra um bicho da terra tao pequeno?

Luis de Camoes#5

CamoesDangerFateHuman conditionUncertaintyVulnerability

About this quote

What does it mean?
Camões lists the dangers of sea and land and asks where fragile humans can find safety when the heavens seem to oppose them.
In plain terms
Life is full of danger; where can weak people find safety?
What can you take from it?
Human life is fragile and uncertain against nature and fate.

Where it applies

  • reflecting on life's risks
  • seeking safety in chaos
  • contemplating human limits

Putting it to work

  • acknowledge life's uncertainty
  • prepare for unexpected dangers

Questions to consider

  • Where can we seek safety when nothing feels secure?
  • How do we live when life is so uncertain?

Another view

It may exaggerate peril by ignoring places where humans do find relative safety.

More from Luis de Camoes

  1. E tambem as memorias gloriosas Daqueles Reis, que foram dilatando A Fe, o Imperio, e as terras viciosas De Africa e de Asia andaram devastando; E aqueles, que …

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  2. Queimou o sagrado templo de Diana, Do subtil Tesifonio fabricado, Herostrato, por ser da gente humana Conhecido no mundo e nomeado: Se tambem com tais obras no…

    Permalink to quote #6
  3. Os bons vi sempre passar No mundo graves tormentos; E para mais me espantar, Os maus vi sempre nadar Em mar de contentamentos.

    Permalink to quote #3

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