Grandesa

Hopper 1947

"No one knows how greatness comes to a man. It may lie in his blackness, sleeping, or it may lance into him like those driven fiery particles from outer space. These things, however are known about greatness: need gives it life and puts it into action; it never comes without pain; it leaves a man changed, chastened and exalted at the same time - he can never return to simplicity."

John Steinbeck a Sweet Thursday (1954), cap. 36


Possible traducció:

"Ningú sap com la grandesa li arriba a un ésser humà. Pot fer-se present en la seva foscor, quan dorm, o pot penetrar en ell com ho fan les partícules ardents de l'espai exterior Aquestes coses, però, són sabudes sobre la grandesa: la necessitat li dóna vida i la posa en acció; mai ve sense dolor; deixa un ésser canviat, alhora humil i exaltat - que mai no pot tornar a la simplicitat."