Beginnings Quote by Lauren Oliver
““Most things, even the greatest movements on earth, have their beginnings in something small. An earthquake that shatters a city with a tremor, a tremble, a breath. Music begins with a vibration. The flood that rushed into Portland twenty years ago after nearly two months of straight rain, that hurtled up beyond the labs and damaged more than a thousand houses, swept up tire and trash bags and old, smelly shoes and floated them through the streets like prizes, that left a thin film of green mold behind, a stench of rotting and decay that didn't go away for months, began with a trickle of water, no wider than a finger, lapping up onto the docks. And God created the whole universe from an atom no bigger than a thought. Grace's life fell apart because of a single word: sympathizer. My world exploded because of a different word: suicide. Correction: That was the first time my world exploded. The second time my world exploded, it was also because of a word. A word that worked its way out of my throat and danced onto and out of my lips before I could think about it, or stop it. The question was: Will you meet me tomorrow? And the word was: Yes.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver, 2010
Small origins can trigger massive, unforeseen consequences, both constructive and destructive.
In simple terms: Small causes can lead to huge effects.
Recognize the power of tiny actions and words.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- environmental disasters
- creative writing
- mental health
- spiritual reflection
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you assess the potential impact of your small actions?
- Can a single word truly change a life?
Not every small start leads to positive outcomes; some can cause irreversible harm.