Ask questions Quote by ZORA NEALE HURSTON
““At certain times I have no race. I am me. I belong to no race or time. I am the eternal feminine with its string of beads. I do not weep at the world--I am too busy sharpening my oyster knife. I have a strong suspicion, but I can't be sure, that much that passes for constant love is a golded-up moment walking in its sleep. Ships at a distance have every man's wish on board. Sometimes I feel discriminated against, but it does not make me angry. It merely astonishes me. How can anyone deny themselves the pleasure of my company? It's beyond me. There are years that ask questions and years that answer.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Eternal Feminine” (unpublished manuscript), 1930s
The speaker embraces a fluid identity beyond race and time, seeking personal authenticity while confronting societal expectations.
In simple terms: Identity transcends labels; seek true self.
Key Takeaway
Live authentically beyond categories.
Themes
identity
self‑discovery
freedom
Mood
introspective
hopeful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- creative work
- social activism
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
existentialism
gender theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “eternal feminine” mean to you?
- How can you honor your authentic self?
A Different Perspective
Societal pressure may limit expression of fluid identity.
![“The eternal feminine doth draw us upward. [Ger., Das Ewig-Weibliche zieht uns hinan.]” quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1c0/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_draws_the-eternal-feminine-doth-draw-us-upward_659815.jpg)
![“Ships at a distance have every man's wish on board. For some they come in with the tide. For others they sail forever on the horizon, never out of sight, never landing until the Watcher turns his eyes away in resignation, his dreams mocked to death by Time. That is the life of men [and women].” quote by Zora Neale Hurston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b4c/zora-neale-hurston-923_death_ships-at-a-distance-have-every-man-s-wis_14724.jpg)
