--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What the ordinary person means by a…" description: "\"What the ordinary person means by a 'miracle' is some gross distortion or suspension of the laws of nature... but life itself strikes him as commonplac..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c94/sydney-j-harris-1578_blades_what-the-ordinary-person-means-by-a-mira_516799.jpg" --- # What the ordinary person means by a 'miracle' is some… ![“What the ordinary person means by a 'miracle' is some gross distortion or suspension of the laws of nature... but life itself strikes him as commonplace, when in truth a blade of grass or a neuron in the brain is a greater miracle...” quote by Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c94/sydney-j-harris-1578_blades_what-the-ordinary-person-means-by-a-mira_516799.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c94/sydney-j-harris-1578_blades_what-the-ordinary-person-means-by-a-mira_516799.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c94/sydney-j-harris-1578_blades_what-the-ordinary-person-means-by-a-mira_516799.jpg) > “What the ordinary person means by a 'miracle' is some gross distortion or suspension of the laws of nature... but life itself strikes him as commonplace, when in truth a blade of grass or a neuron in the brain is a greater miracle...” [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Miracles are not supernatural events but the extraordinary complexity of ordinary things. **In simple terms:** Every small thing is a miracle. Key Takeaway Appreciate the wonder in the mundane. Themes wonder science humility Mood thoughtful inspirational Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - education - science communication - mindfulness - creative writing - environmental advocacy Key Concepts complexity biology physics philosophy Questions to Reflect On - How does recognizing complexity change your view? - What everyday detail amazes you? A Different Perspective Some may view this as romanticizing the ordinary. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain/) [Distortion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distortion/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Laws of nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laws-of-nature/) [Life itself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-itself/) [Miracle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miracle/) [Miracles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miracles/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Neurons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neurons/) [Strikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strikes/) ## Related quotes > [Ask anyone what that means, what it means to see a miracle, and they will say that it's something impossible, but they mean that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cisco/ask-anyone-what-that-means-what-it-means-to-see-a-miracle-and-they/) [Michael Cisco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cisco/) > [“If there is no miracle in your life.. But you have God in your life, it means you have all the miracle in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-petra/if-there-is-no-miracle-in-your-life-but-you-have-god-in-your-life-it/) Monica Petra > [“Anyone could say that a miracle is something impossible, but they say it thoughtlessly, mindlessly, because most people have such weak imaginations they couldn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cisco/anyone-could-say-that-a-miracle-is-something-impossible-but-they-say/) [Michael Cisco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cisco/) > [“The miracle is that the brilliance of the miraculous can live in the blandness of the mundane. The greater miracle is that we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/the-miracle-is-that-the-brilliance-of-the-miraculous-can-live-in-the/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [I have never known a greater miracle, or monster, than myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/i-have-never-known-a-greater-miracle-or-monster-than-myself/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [Every steps that you take, it is a test that God has prepared, for a greater miracle in your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalyn/every-steps-that-you-take-it-is-a-test-that-god-has-prepared-for-a/) [Magdalyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalyn/) > [An idea is a greater monument than a cathedral. And the advance of man's knowledge is a greater miracle than all the sticks turned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-lawrence/an-idea-is-a-greater-monument-than-a-cathedral-and-the-advance-of-man/) [Jerome Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-lawrence/) > [To me it's still a greater miracle when a fly flies than when a human being undertakes to do so.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/to-me-it-s-still-a-greater-miracle-when-a-fly-flies-than-when-a-human/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [“One has often longed to see Him work as He worked of old, healing the sick by the word of His power, raising the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-carmichael/one-has-often-longed-to-see-him-work-as-he-worked-of-old-healing-the/) [Amy Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-carmichael/) > [“Is there any greater miracle than this holy moment?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/is-there-any-greater-miracle-than-this-holy-moment/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [If the defeated and depressed group of disciples overnight could change into a victorious movement of faith, based only on autosuggestion or self-deception-without a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pinchas-lapide/if-the-defeated-and-depressed-group-of-disciples-overnight-could/) Pinchas Lapide > [There is no greater miracle than our conscious efforts to become good human beings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-chinmoy/there-is-no-greater-miracle-than-our-conscious-efforts-to-become-good/) [Sri Chinmoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-chinmoy/) > [Man is a greater miracle than any god he ever invented.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-steiger/man-is-a-greater-miracle-than-any-god-he-ever-invented/) [Rod Steiger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-steiger/) > [If Jesus didn't rise from the dead, an even greater miracle happened: 12 relatively uneducated guys changed the world and were martyred to protect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-hart/if-jesus-didn-t-rise-from-the-dead-an-even-greater-miracle-happened/) [Mark Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-hart/) > [Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/could-a-greater-miracle-take-place-than-for-us-to-look-through-each/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) ## More by Sydney J. Harris > [This is a lesson mankind has not yet learned. We identify, and stratify, and treat persons largely on the basis of their accidental (physical)…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/this-is-a-lesson-mankind-has-not-yet-learned-we-identify-and-stratify/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [Character is something you forge for yourself; temperament is something you are born with and can only slightly modify.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/character-is-something-you-forge-for-yourself-temperament-is/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [Middle Age is that perplexing time of life when we hear two voices calling us, one saying, 'Why not?' and the other, 'Why bother?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/middle-age-is-that-perplexing-time-of-life-when-we-hear-two-voices/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [The profound immoralities of our time are cruelty, indifference, injustice and the use of others as means rather than ends in themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/the-profound-immoralities-of-our-time-are-cruelty-indifference/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [Marriages we regard as the happiest are those in which each of the partners believes he or she got the best of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/marriages-we-regard-as-the-happiest-are-those-in-which-each-of-the/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [“...it calls for deciding things on their own merit, not because you read it or were told it or grew up believing it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/it-calls-for-deciding-things-on-their-own-merit-not-because-you-read/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [Ignorance per se is not nearly as dangerous as ignorance of ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/ignorance-per-se-is-not-nearly-as-dangerous-as-ignorance-of-ignorance/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [Patriotism is proud of a country's virtues and eager to correct its deficiencies; it also acknowledges the legitimate patriotism of other countries, with their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/patriotism-is-proud-of-a-country-s-virtues-and-eager-to-correct-its/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [A cynic is not merely one who reads bitter lessons from the past, his is also one who is permanently disappointed in the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/a-cynic-is-not-merely-one-who-reads-bitter-lessons-from-the-past-his/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [Time is love, above all else. It is the most precious commodity in the world and should be lavished on those we care most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/time-is-love-above-all-else-it-is-the-most-precious-commodity-in-the/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [Just about the only interruption we don't object to is applause.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/just-about-the-only-interruption-we-don-t-object-to-is-applause/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [“The cynic is goodhearted beneath his facade, whereas the sentimentalist is flint-hearted beneath his.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/the-cynic-is-goodhearted-beneath-his-facade-whereas-the/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [Any philosophy that can be put in a nutshell belongs there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/any-philosophy-that-can-be-put-in-a-nutshell-belongs-there/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [“Like all persecuted minority groups, they strike back by forming cabals, by “taking over” certain spheres of activity (in the arts, for instance), and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/like-all-persecuted-minority-groups-they-strike-back-by-forming/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [Intolerance is the most socially acceptable form of egotism, for it permits us to assume superiority without personal boasting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/intolerance-is-the-most-socially-acceptable-form-of-egotism-for-it/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) [Explore all 226 Sydney J. Harris quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) ## More Blades quotes > [A lie always needs a truth for a handle to it. The worst lies are those whose blade is false, but whose handle is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/a-lie-always-needs-a-truth-for-a-handle-to-it-the-worst-lies-are/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [The Kabbalah describes angels as bundles of light, meaning intelligence, consciousness. Kabbalists believe that above every blade of grass is an angel crying "Grow!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pressfield/the-kabbalah-describes-angels-as-bundles-of-light-meaning/) [Steven Pressfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pressfield/) > [Our past is the forge upon which we are hardened and tempered, to prepare us for the present. We are like a fine blade…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-atchley-jr/our-past-is-the-forge-upon-which-we-are-hardened-and-tempered-to/) Larry Atchley Jr > [When a buddha is painted, not only a clay altar or lump of earth is used, but the thirty-two marks, a blade of grass,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dogen/when-a-buddha-is-painted-not-only-a-clay-altar-or-lump-of-earth-is/) [Dogen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dogen/) > [I felt freed to please myself, to find my way as I would, in a world that was much vaster than I had realized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margo-lanagan/i-felt-freed-to-please-myself-to-find-my-way-as-i-would-in-a-world/) [Margo Lanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margo-lanagan/) > [I would like to see a fierce Fantasia mixed with Blade Runner, Lord of the Rings, and Star Wars all in one. That's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-rodriguez/i-would-like-to-see-a-fierce-fantasia-mixed-with-blade-runner-lord-of/) [Michelle Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-rodriguez/) > [Paper or razor blade, never give up And just remember just to hold out more A couple years ago I couldn't just control that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/paper-or-razor-blade-never-give-up-and-just-remember-just-to-hold-out/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) > [There are those who say that trees shade the garden too much, and interfere with the growth of the vegetables. There may be something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dudley-warner/there-are-those-who-say-that-trees-shade-the-garden-too-much-and/) [Charles Dudley Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dudley-warner/) > [Heavy role in the movies that I've done that I have loved and fit my soul; A Simple Plan, Monster's Ball, Sling Blade, One…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-bob-thornton/heavy-role-in-the-movies-that-i-ve-done-that-i-have-loved-and-fit-my/) [Billy Bob Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-bob-thornton/) > [Staring at her face, she began to fancy her outer layer had begun to melt away while she wasn't paying attention, and something --…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/staring-at-her-face-she-began-to-fancy-her-outer-layer-had-begun-to/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [You need flawless balance on the recovery. You need white hot focus and the concentration to row square blades cleanly for seven miles. Smooth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/you-need-flawless-balance-on-the-recovery-you-need-white-hot-focus/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [If you look at 'Blade Runner,' it's been cut sixteen ways from Sunday, and there are all kinds of different versions of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-lucas/if-you-look-at-blade-runner-it-s-been-cut-sixteen-ways-from-sunday/) [George Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-lucas/) > [Here's an example: someone says, "Master, please hand me the knife," and he hands them the knife, blade first. "Please give me the other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-watts/here-s-an-example-someone-says-master-please-hand-me-the-knife-and-he/) [Alan Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-watts/) > [It's ninety-six degrees in the shade... Before I catch blood on my blade.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-murray/it-s-ninety-six-degrees-in-the-shade-before-i-catch-blood-on-my-blade/) [Keith Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-murray/) > ["Lay the knife at the tips of your fingers," Rob commanded. "So close youcan feel the blade against your skins. Then cut the shadow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-rees-brennan/lay-the-knife-at-the-tips-of-your-fingers-rob-commanded-so-close/) [Sarah Rees Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-rees-brennan/) Browse all 490 Blades quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What the ordinary person means by a 'miracle' is some gross distortion or suspension of the laws of nature... but life itself strikes him as commonplace, when in truth a blade of grass or a neuron in the brain is a greater miracle...", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sydney J. 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