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"The universe will express itself as long as somebody will be able to say 'I read, therefore it writes'"

Italo Calvino
Italo Calvino Author
Translations
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Quote meaning
The essence of this quote is that the universe’s stories and truths continue to unfold as long as there are people willing to engage with them. It’s like a dance between the reader and the cosmos—one writes, the other reads, and the cycle continues.

Imagine you're sitting in a library, the kind with tall wooden shelves, that smell of old pages in the air. Each book you pull out has a universe tucked inside, waiting for someone to dive into its pages. That's the magic here. The universe has so much to say, but it needs you to listen, to explore, and to interpret. Without readers, those stories might as well be whispers lost in the wind.

Historically, this idea resonates with the birth of written language and literature. Think about ancient civilizations—how the Egyptians with their hieroglyphs or the Sumerians with their cuneiform preserved their histories, beliefs, and knowledge. Without someone to read and understand these writings, much of what we know about these cultures would remain a mystery. It’s like finding an old letter in a forgotten drawer—until you read it, its contents are silent and unknown.

Let's bring this to life with a real-world example: Anne Frank’s diary. Tucked away in a hidden annex, a young girl wrote about her fears, dreams, and daily life during one of history's darkest periods. Imagine if no one had ever read her words. Her story might never have echoed through time, reminding us of the human side of history's cruelty. But someone did read it—millions did. And in doing so, they brought her world into their own, bridging past and present.

So, how do you apply this wisdom? Simple: be curious. Pick up a book, dive into an article, listen to someone's story. Don't just skim the surface—immerse yourself. Remember that each act of reading is a kind of conversation with the universe. When you engage, you keep the dialogue going. You're not just absorbing information; you're part of a grand, ongoing story.

Picture this: you're at a coffee shop. The barista hands you your latte with a smile, and you find a cozy corner to sit. It's raining outside, and the soft patter against the window creates a perfect backdrop. You pull out a book—maybe something you've been meaning to read for ages. As you turn the pages, the world around you starts to fade. You’re not just reading words; you’re stepping into another world. The universe in those pages comes alive because you’re there to breathe life into it.

Think about that. By simply reading, you're not just a passive recipient; you’re an active participant. You’re the bridge that brings those written worlds into reality. Every story, every piece of knowledge, needs a reader to truly exist. You have that power. We all do.

So next time you pick up a book, or even an article online, remember that you're engaging in a timeless dance. The universe writes, and you read. And as long as we keep reading, those stories will never cease to be told.
Related tags
Connection Consciousness Creativity Existence Expression Interdependence Philosophy Reading Universe Writing
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