Other Voices, Other Vistas Quotes

“You know, you take a job to make a living and also to do your duty. But a person should be more than just his trade. A job isn't everything, nor does it last for ever. Human beings should be the masters of the world and their work, and above all, masters of knowledge. Suppose both of us are umbrella repairers, and we each earn eighteen yuan a month. But then if you know about dinosaurs whereas I don't, you're better off and richer than I am. Am I right?”
― Wang Meng, Other Voices, Other Vistas: Short Stories from Africa, China, India, Japan and Latin America

“Wherever fate lands you, you look for something interesting and enjoy it as best as you can. Maybe that's what makes life interesting.”
― Wang Anyi, Other Voices, Other Vistas: Short Stories from Africa, China, India, Japan, and Latin America

“Why had God created man's face so that he might not see it himself?

'Suppose you could see your own face, would you lose your mind? Would you become incapable of acting?'

Most probably man had evolved in such a way that he could not see his own face. Maybe dragonflies and praying mantises could see their own faces.”
― Yasunari Kawabata, Other Voices, Other Vistas: Short Stories from Africa, China, India, Japan and Latin America

“A man's destination must be happiness, not misery.”
― Wang Anyi, Other Voices, Other Vistas: Short Stories from Africa, China, India, Japan and Latin America