Free a man of the constraints that limit and inhibit his development, and you have a free human being. Freedom is the natural state of man.” He looked away from the boy for a moment and recalled his youth, his own search for self. “My boy, ” he imparted with a ferocious passion that shook them both by the throat, “there is nothing negative about our human potential–do you understand me? God Himself created you the way you are. Do not let anyone in this world convince you otherwise. And you are capable of anything, my boy. There is and shall always be a disparity among the gifts God has granted men, but we all deserve equal consideration. All men, no matter how low, how basic, or how tormented, deserve compassion, dignified brotherhood, and respect. “ But part of respecting all men is respecting ourselves. Recognizing that God has blessed you. By embracing these gifts, we live as God lives, with love for all He has created–with an open heart. Alexandra Silber
About This Quote

One of the most important things in life is developing a strong sense of self. In order to achieve this, one must learn from mistakes and from the experiences of others. This is what the Thirteenth Dalai Lama is trying to tell us with this quote. It is important for us to not only learn from our mistakes but also from the lives of others or what they have experienced. We must respect others and their knowledge but we must also learn from them and understand that we are all human and most likely going to make mistakes.

Source: After Anatevka: A Novel Inspired By Fiddler On The Roof

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  1. Free a man of the constraints that limit and inhibit his development, and you have a free human being. Freedom is the natural state of man.” He looked away from the boy for a moment and recalled his youth, his own search for self. “My...

  2. While we must always strive to grow beyond those who come before us, we must revere and learn from those that broke the ground originally, endeavor to honor their legacy, and then continue in our own vision.

  3. For now, I look to God, for I know He will respond to my questions. For I believe, in the deepest part of my heart, that He shall truly bring us into a frame of mind where we may hear His greatest responses .. ....

  4. And life can have its way with me. It won't break me. Neither you nor me. That determined faith in our own resilience is our only weapon against the cynical, the weak, those who talk of honor but do not practice the word they so...

  5. Hodel saw it through her sister's eyes: women were created to be in every way partners, not mindless slaves or brainless doormats, but helpers, collaborators, equals. And that was a thing of great beauty.

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