To oppression, plundering and abandonment, we respond with life. Neither floods nor plagues, famines nor cataclysms, nor even the eternal wars of century upon century, have been able to subdue the persistent advantage of life over death.
What's the meaning of this quote?
Quote Meaning: This profound quote encapsulates a powerful and resilient perspective on the human response to adversity. At its core, the message conveys an unwavering commitment to life in the face of various forms of oppression, plundering, and abandonment. The author suggests that, despite the daunting challenges posed by floods, plagues, famines, cataclysms, and the enduring wars that span the ages, the inherent force of life persists and prevails over the shadow of death.
The first part of the quote emphasizes the adversities that humanity may encounter — oppression, plundering, and abandonment. These words carry profound historical and contemporary significance, reflecting instances where individuals or communities have faced exploitation, injustice, and neglect. The triad of challenges implies a comprehensive range of hardships, suggesting that the human spirit confronts not just physical threats but also social, economic, and emotional tribulations.
The second part of the quote, "we respond with life," serves as the rallying cry against despair and defeat. Here, the notion of responding with life is not merely survival but a resilient and active assertion of existence. It implies a refusal to succumb to the forces of destruction or surrender to the prevailing negativity. Instead, it suggests a conscious and intentional choice to persevere, to create, and to thrive in the face of adversity.
The subsequent enumeration of natural disasters — floods, plagues, famines, cataclysms — amplifies the idea that the human spirit has weathered a multitude of challenges throughout history. By listing these catastrophes, the quote universalizes the human experience, highlighting that no civilization or individual is exempt from the trials of existence. The mention of eternal wars further extends this perspective across the timeline of human history, emphasizing the enduring nature of conflict.
The culminating phrase, "the persistent advantage of life over death," encapsulates the fundamental optimism embedded in the quote. It suggests that, despite the ceaseless onslaught of adversities, life possesses an intrinsic advantage over its antithesis, death. This advantage is not portrayed as a passive condition but as an active, persistent force that resists annihilation. It implies an inherent quality within the human spirit that propels it forward, overcoming the darkest moments of history.
In essence, the quote paints a vivid portrait of human resilience, illustrating the indomitable spirit that persists despite the harshest trials. It invites contemplation on the enduring capacity of humanity to choose life in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges, urging individuals and communities to respond to adversity with a tenacious commitment to existence and the continuous pursuit of a better, more compassionate world.
Who said the quote?
The quote "To oppression, plundering and abandonment, we respond with life. Neither floods nor plagues, famines nor cataclysms, nor even the eternal wars of century upon century, have been able to subdue the persistent advantage of life over death." is often attributed to Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Quotes). Gabriel Garcia Marquez was a renowned Colombian novelist whose magical realism transported readers to vivid and surreal worlds.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
