[Book Sip] Living with Dignity in a World We Are Thrown Into

Editor's NoteSome sentences encapsulate the entire content of a book, while others immediately resonate with readers and create a connection to the book. Here, we introduce meaningful sentences excerpted from various books.

"We are living in an era where kindness alone is not enough to endure." The author of this book, Kim Jisoo, points to dignity?beyond kindness?as the attitude we must cultivate in the present age. A dignified person is someone who can endure anxiety and also bear the weight of others. It refers to someone who does not run away from the burdens of life and embraces the pain of others as their own ethical responsibility. As one of Korea's leading interviewers, the author draws out the concept of 'dignity' from the ethics of responsibility, solidarity, respect, and self-reflection observed in the lives of 14 individuals she has interviewed.

After observing the lives of many people through the window of interviews, I found that the most powerful force for enduring time was the realization of oneself as a responsible being. Immersion can sublimate time aesthetically, but the realization of responsibility expands time ethically. The moment people decide to take on a little more responsibility?because they have seen more, looked further, or imagined more?they move forward. ... In this way, 'dignity' is woven together by the threads of pain, time, patience, and responsibility. The starting point of this meaning is to 'try to be a dignified person to others.' The beautiful and profound layers of dignity begin with the ability to imagine a time of natural order that lies further ahead than the seemingly absurd moments of pain we face now. - From the Prologue

A certain philosopher once described birth as 'being thrown into the world.' Since we are cast into life without choosing it, it can feel bleak. Yet, the one who is thrown is not a solitary being, but a 'being-with-others.' While the basic emotions we face are anxiety and gloom, if we exchange positive influences within relationships, the 'grip of anxiety' is significantly weakened. On the other hand, if there is no sense of fulfillment in life, we are caught in the hands of fate and inevitably fall into the swamp of depression. That is why God encourages us: even just once, try to be 'a dignified being to others.' <Page 22>

A song begins with its first line; starting is half the battle. If you start well, everything unfolds smoothly. If you fail to control your strength at the beginning, you struggle until the end. The song "Sangnoksoo" starts with high notes, so it's really hard to begin without forcing your voice. You have to both push and ease your strength... In the end, I think both singing and life are about practicing to let go of tension throughout your life. That's why the best song is a hum?a tune you sing alone with no one listening. That feels like the most alive song. <Page 52>

To have your own language, your own world, is a tough struggle. That's why, even when I saw my peers?German and Austrian composers?doing well in my youth, I didn't feel jealous. While they were in the spotlight, I realized I could focus on my own work, and I was grateful for that time. <Page 90>

I always want to give up. I wanted to give up yesterday, and I wanted to give up this morning. The only difference is that my will not to give up is just a bit stronger. Out of 365 days, I scream inside that I want to quit for 65 days, but I endure for 300 days. <Page 104>

Even if the world seems dazzling, it’s really nothing special. If you’re never satisfied and keep comparing yourself to others, it’s the same for everyone. Don’t waste your time searching for things you’re exceptionally good at or things that always work out. If there’s something you like, just do it. If you focus on showing off, you’ll only hurt your pride and get wounded. But if you do what you love, even if you quit, you won’t get hurt. Your self-esteem will remain. <Page 176>

When a moment of decision comes, some kind of 'leap' is required. That is because the outcome of your decision lies in the darkness. <Page 212>

Life is a struggle no matter what. Even if you achieve what you want, pain and problems continue. There is no such thing as a life without problems. That is why you must ask: What kind of pain can I endure? What pain is worthwhile to me? Considering pain as a given and training your brain to automatically ignore it?that is a good habit and routine. And when you have no control over a decision, the best thing is to stop caring and just do what needs to be done. <Page 230>

Trying not to lose heart while clinging to things without value is not helpful. Success cannot be achieved simply by persisting in any task. To continue doing what is valuable, you must quit what is not valuable as quickly as possible. Time and energy are limited. <Page 250>

You are the only one who truly knows your own life. No one can write your obituary better than you. By becoming the biographer of your own life, you can directly face both the shame and the glory that only you know. Before it is too late, just write down the small things you have experienced. Even if you are twenty and feel that death is far away, start now. Until you write, your life story does not exist in the world. It’s okay if your spelling is wrong or you miss some details. The more you write, the more you accumulate and improve. <Page 350>

Dignified People: Becoming Responsible Beyond Kindness | Written by Kim Jisoo | Publisher: Yangyanghada | 368 pages | 21,000 won