“The gift of life is so precious that we should feel an obligation to pay back the universe for the gift of being alive.”

—  Ray Bradbury

Speech at Eureka College (1997)

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American writer 1920–2012

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“Each gives to each, and like the star
Gets back its gift in tenfold pay.”

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Context: p>Each gives to each, and like the star
Gets back its gift in tenfold pay.To get and give and give amain
The rivers run and oceans roll.
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When reigning as a splendid whole!
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“Just being alive
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“Life, woman, life is God's most precious gift; no principle, however glorious, may justify the taking of it.”

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“It is the unceasing recognition that God is wherever we are, always inviting us to come closer and to celebrate the divine gift of being alive.”

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“I've learned some things from having lived:
If you're alive, experience largely, merge with rivers, heavens, cosmos
For what we call living is a gift given to life
And life is a gift bestowed upon us”

Ataol Behramoğlu (1942) Turkish writer

"I've Learned Some Things" (1977)
Variant translations:
There is one thing I learned from what I lived:
When you live, you must live big, like being one with the rivers, the sky, and the whole universe
Because what we call lifetime is a gift presented to life
And life is a gift presented to you.
Translated as "There Is One Thing I Learned From What I Lived" by Sãleyman Fatih Akgãl at TC Turkish Poetry Pages
I've Learned Some Things (2008)

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