First address as Vice-President, widely reported as having been delivered while he was inebriated. (5 March 1865).
Quote
“ICELANDER: Thus I reply to you. I am well aware you did not make the world for the service of men. It were easier to believe that you made it expressly as a place of torment for them. But tell me: why am I here at all? Did I ask to come into the world? Or am I here unnaturally, contrary to your will? If however, you yourself have placed me here, without giving me the power of acceptance or refusal of this gift of life, ought you not as far as possible to try and make me happy, or at least preserve me from the evils and dangers, which render my sojourn a painful one? And what I say of myself, I say of the whole human race, and of every living creature.”
Essays and Dialogues (1882), Dialogue between Nature and an Icelander
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Giacomo Leopardi 18
Italian poet, philosopher and writer 1798–1837Related quotes
“Well, I am so far, and you put me a bottle of tequila here.”
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As quoted in Writers on Writing (1986) by Jon Winokur.
Variant: If you ask me what I came into this life to do, I will tell you: I came to live out loud.
Reporters and editors luncheon address (2007)