How is it possible to live? Life is so hard?’‘ You must be harder than life, Firdaus. Life is very hard. The only people who really live are those who are harder than life itself.’‘ But you are not hard, Sharifa, so how do you manage to live?’‘ I am hard, terribly hard, Firdaus.’‘No, you are gentle and soft.’‘ My skin is soft, but my heart is cruel, and my bite deadly.’‘ Like a snake?’‘ Yes, exactly like a snake. Life is a snake. They are the same, Firdaus. If the snake realises you are not a snake, it will bite you. And if life knows you have no sting, it will devour you. . Nawal ElSaadawi
About This Quote

A person who is hard, particularly with the intention of being cruel, will only hurt those around him. He cannot be cruel because he has no feelings. He is incapable of caring for anyone else. In contrast, a person who is gentle and soft will care for those around him as long as they do not hurt him or his family.

A gentle person will try to protect his family and will not harm anyone unless they threaten his safety and happiness. This quote speaks about how we need to be hard on others but also be kind and soft on others.

Source: Woman At Point Zero

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