"To hope means to be ready at every moment for that which is not yet born, and yet not become desperate if there is no birth in our lifetime"
- Erich Fromm
About this Quote
Erich Fromm's quote speaks with the inherently positive yet patient nature of hope. To hope, according to Fromm, is to maintain a state of preparedness and anticipation for new possibilities and changes that have yet to materialize. It involves an openness to the future and a belief in the potential for growth and change. This preparedness is not passive; it requires a particular level of preparedness and willingness to accept possibilities that are not totally understood or perhaps noticeable at the moment.
Fromm also acknowledges the unpredictability and the possibility that these hopes might not concern fruition within our life time. The phrase "and yet not end up being desperate if there is no birth in our life time" addresses this potential disappointment. Here, Fromm suggests that real hope is resistant and enduring, even in the lack of tangible results. It is not contingent on instant results or personal satisfaction. Rather, it embodies a deeper commitment to the principles and values that underpin our hopes, regardless of whether we witness their actualization.
This viewpoint on hope can be comprehended as an encouragement to maintain faith and perseverance, even in the face of misfortune or prolonged periods of stasis. It acknowledges that while our efforts and desires might not yield instant or visible outcomes, they add to a larger continuum of change and progress. This long-lasting commitment to hope ends up being an assisting force that goes beyond private life times, inspiring future generations and perpetuating a cycle of aspiration and effort.
Ultimately, Fromm's quote is an extensive meditation on the nature of hope as a vibrant and long-lasting force. It welcomes us to cultivate a confident mindset that is both active and client, allowing us to add to a larger vision that extends beyond our personal experiences and timeframes.