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Biography Quote by Gil Scott-Heron

“Because I always feel like running Not away, because there is no such place Because if there was, I would have found it by now Because it's easier to run, Easier than staying and finding out you're the only one who didn't run Because running will be the way your life and mine will be described, As…” quote by Gil Scott-Heron
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““Because I always feel like running Not away, because there is no such place Because if there was, I would have found it by now Because it's easier to run, Easier than staying and finding out you're the only one who didn't run Because running will be the way your life and mine will be described, As in "the long run" Or as in having "given someone a run for his money" Or as in "running out of time" Because running makes me look like everyone else, though I hope there will never be cause for that Because I will be running in the other direction, not running for cover Because if I knew where cover was, I would stay there and never have to run for it Not running for my life, because I have to be running for something of more value to be running and not in fear Because the thing I fear cannot be escaped, eluded, avoided, hidden from, protected from, gotten away from, Not without showing the fear as I see it now Because closer, clearer, no sir, nearer Because of you and because of that nice That you quietly, quickly be causing And because you're going to see me run soon and because you're going to know why I'm running then You'll know then Because I'm not going to tell you now””

Gil Scott-Heron

About This Quote

Source Poem: “Running” (excerpt), 1979

Uses running as a metaphor for confronting fear, purpose, and societal expectations.

In simple terms: Running symbolizes confronting fear and seeking purpose.

Key Takeaway

Embrace purposeful action despite fear.

Themes

self‑discovery fear purpose

Mood

reflective intense

Type

poetic philosophical

When to use this quote

  • personal crises
  • social activism
  • mental health
  • goal setting

Key Concepts

existentialism metaphor

Questions to Reflect On

  • What are you truly running from?
  • How can you channel fear into purpose?
A Different Perspective

Running may be escapism rather than confronting issues.

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