“Hope, like faith, is nothing if it is not courageous; it is nothing if it is not ridiculous.”
In this quote, Thornton Wilder highlights the essential quality of courage in both hope and faith. He suggests that hope and faith require a willingness to believe in something despite the odds, even if it may seem foolish to others. This idea challenges the reader to consider the power of optimism and belief in the face of adversity. It emphasizes the importance of staying hopeful and having faith, even when the outcome may appear bleak.
Thornton Wilder's quote emphasizes the importance of courage and a willingness to believe in something despite its perceived impossibility. In today's world, where challenges and uncertainties abound, it is crucial to hold onto hope even when the odds seem stacked against us. By being courageous in our pursuit of hope and embracing the seemingly ridiculous notion of a brighter future, we can find the strength and resilience to overcome obstacles and create positive change.
"“Hope, like faith, is nothing if it is not courageous; it is nothing if it is not ridiculous.” - Thornton Wilder"
Inspiring Others: By expressing that hope and faith require courage and a willingness to believe in something seemingly impossible, Thornton Wilder inspires others to take bold steps and maintain optimism in challenging situations.
Fostering Resilience: This quote serves as a reminder that hope and faith play a crucial role in building resilience and overcoming obstacles, encouraging individuals to hold onto these elements even when faced with uncertainty.
As Thornton Wilder suggests, hope requires courage and a willingness to believe in something that may seem impossible or unlikely. Consider the following reflection questions to explore the connection between hope and courage in your own life:
“Everybody should eavesdrop once in a while. There's nothing like eavesdropping to show you that the world outside your head is different from the world inside your head.”
“Faith is a never-ending pool of clarity, reaching far beyond the margins of consciousness. We all know more than we know we know. ”
“Esteban fell face downward upon the floor. "I am alone, alone, alone," he cried. The Captain stood above him, his great plain face ridged and gray with pain; it was his own old hours he was reliving. He was the awkwardest speaker in the world apart from the lore of the sea, but there are times when it requires a high courage to speak the banal. He could not be sure the figure on the floor was listening, but he said, "We do what we can. We push on, Esteban, as best we can. It isn't for long, you know. Time keeps going by. You'll be surprised at the way time passes.”
“Money is like manure; it's not worth a thing unless it's spread around encouraging young things to grow.”
“I want you to try and remember what it was like to have been very young.And particularly the days when you were first in love; when you were like a person sleepwalking, and you didn’t quite see the street you were in, and didn’t quite hear everything that was said to you.You’re just a little bit crazy. Will you remember that, please?”
“Love as education is one of the great powers of the world, but it hangs in a delicate suspension; it achieves its harmony as seldom as does love by the senses. Frustrated, it creates even greater havoc, for like all love it is a madness.”