You can't cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.

Rabindranath Tagore (attributed)

Literature

Why it matters

The idea in context

Widely attributed to Rabindranath Tagore, though not located in his Bengali works or authorised translations. It carries his cadence, and his life backs the lesson: Tagore did not wait on shore — he founded a school and university, toured five continents, and rebuilt Bengali literature. Analysis has a port; crossing requires wind, wetness and the willingness to leave it.

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Rabindranath Tagore

Rabindranath Tagore'a yaygın atfedilir; ancak Bengalce eserlerinde ya da onaylı çevirilerinde bulunamamıştır. Yine de onun ritmini taşır ve dersini hayatı doğrular: Tagore kıyıda beklemedi — okul ve üniversite kurdu, beş kıtayı dolaştı, Bengal edebiyatını yeniden inşa etti. Analizin bir limanı vardır; karşıya geçmekse rüzgâr, ıslanmak ve limandan ayrılma cesareti ister.

Source trail

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Background reading: Rabindranath TagoreAttribution and context are revised when stronger evidence appears. Corrections are welcome through the editorial page.
Next in the open archiveLet me not pray to be sheltered from dangers, but to be fearless in facing them.Q1208