“It takes a long time for people to recognize their soul-mates when they have too limited an idea of who they are themselves.”

2016, State of the Union address (January 2016)

quoted by Sheena Wagstaff 'Edward Hopper', Tate Publishing (2004)
1941 - 1967

Source: Eat, Pray, Love (2006)
Context: People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life.
A true soul mate is probably the most important person you'll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then leave.
A soul mates purpose is to shake you up, tear apart your ego a little bit, show you your obstacles and addictions, break your heart open so new light can get in, make you so desperate and out of control that you have to transform your life, then introduce you to your spiritual master…

Nassim Nicholas Taleb's Home Page http://www.fooledbyrandomness.com/

Source: "Idea and Man in the Ideological Movement" (1954)

Seulement, il faut du temps pour être heureux. Beaucoup de temps. Le bonheur lui aussi est une longue patience.
A Happy Death (1971)

Source: Gone Girl