“To have a child is to give the world a hostage to fortune.”
What this quote means
Michel Tournier's metaphor compares a child to a 'hostage to fortune,' that is, a being that fate can seize at any moment. Having a child means accepting to give the world a vulnerable being, exposed to life's ups and downs, joys and tragedies. It also means acknowledging that we cannot control everything: the child escapes us, has their own trajectory. This phrase resonates with parental anxiety and the beauty of trust: despite risks, we choose to give life, to love without guarantees. It invites reflection on the fragility and strength of existence.
How to apply it daily
If you are a parent, take a moment to write a letter to your child, expressing your hopes and fears, and accepting that their path belongs to them.
Continue
Related quotes
Same author or same theme — keep reading.
“The heart will break, but broken live on”Create visual
“Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans.”Create visual
“The lyf so short, the craft so long to lerne.”Create visual
“The most important thing is to live a fabulous life. As long as it's fabulous, I don't care how long it is.”Create visual
“All of us every single year, we're a different person. I don't think we're the same person all our lives.”Create visual
“May you live all the days of your life.”Create visual