Quotes, Quotes, Quotes

So, I'm reading this book called An Abundance of Katherines by John Green. I'm not very far into the book yet - but last night while reading I came across an interesting quote. The main character in the book, Colin, is thinking about why things have happened in his life the way that they have when he is reminded of a quote by Democritus. {Democritus was an Ancient Greek philosopher - he is considered to be the "father of modern science."}

Here is the quote:
"Everywhere man blames nature and fate, yet his fate is mostly but the echo of his character and passions, his mistakes and weaknesses."

Think about what this quote could mean and draw a picture to represent its meaning.

Over Winter break I read Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. Memoirs are very similar to autobiographies. However, memoirs tend to focus on a more specific event or lesson one has learned in their life - rather than everything that has happened over the course of a lifetime. This particular book is fictional (not "real"), but Golden writes from the first person point of view of the Geisha. In the book, the Geisha focuses on the lessons she learns from each hardship and each joy she experienced in her life. At one particular moment in the book, she says "I would be like a dancer who had practiced since childhood for a performance she would never give." When I first read this passage, I felt confused. However, after multiple readings, I determined that this is a message of sadness. How would it feel to spend a lifetime in preparation for something that would never happen? I also think this quote holds a deeper meaning -- a message for the reader. This quote is telling the reader to live life rather than simply planning for the future. Live every moment with a purpose!