"In this watering-place I acted an heroic character, badly studied; and being a novice on such a stage, I forgot my part before a pair of lovely blue eyes"
- Adelbert von Chamisso
About this Quote
Adelbert von Chamisso's quote is a reflection on his own experience of performing in a play at a popular getaway. He was playing a brave character, but he was not well-prepared for the function and was overwhelmed by the existence of a pair of stunning blue eyes in the audience. This caused him to forget his lines and he was humiliated by his own lack of preparation. The quote is a pointer of the power of beauty and how it can distract us from our goals. It also speaks to the importance of being prepared and having confidence in one's abilities. Chamisso's quote is a reminder that even the most skilled performers can be shaken off by the presence of beauty which it is important to be gotten ready for any circumstance.
"When the missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land. They said "Let us pray." We closed our eyes. When we opened them we had the Bible and they had the land"