50 Wise, Inspirational, and Meaningful Words by Pramoedya Ananta Toer

Kapanlagi.com - Pramoedya Ananta Toer is not only a writer beloved by Indonesians, but his works have been translated into more than 42 foreign languages and published in various countries. This proves that Pramoedya Ananta Toer's words truly have the power to enchant readers.

His captivating writing style makes it difficult for readers to stop reading his books. The wisdom contained in Pramoedya Ananta Toer's words is extraordinary.

The rebellious thoughts expressed in Pramoedya Ananta Toer's words made him even antagonized and detained by the government. To find out more about Pram's words, please read his widely distributed books or first take a look at the following words by Pramoedya Ananta Toer.

1. Wise Words from Pramoedya Ananta Toer About Life

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Pramoedya Ananta Toer's life cannot be considered smooth. Pram was detained for three years during the colonial era, one year during the old order era, and 14 years as a political prisoner without trial during the new order era.

Seeing his suffering, it is no wonder that Pramoedya Ananta Toer's words contain such deep meaning. Here are Pramoedya Ananta Toer's words about life that you can take as an example.

1. "In the end, the problem of life is the problem of postponing death, even though wise people prefer to die once rather than multiple times."

2. "Be fair in thoughts, don't blindly judge matters that are not known to be true or not."

3. "Although humans are born not by their own will, the rules of the system may not necessarily suit the individual. Therefore, I believe that democracy, no matter how bad it is as a system, is still better than communism. Humans have the right to speak, even when what they express is wrong. If that happens, others will correct it."

4. "If you win, be prepared to lose, and if you lose, accept the defeat with a big heart and strive for victory."

5. "Without God, humans are actually heartless, soulless beings, they are animals, creatures who do not know virtue."

6. "What is the point of success if it justifies all means, like bringing down others."

7. "What can be expected from those who only aspire to be government officials, whatever they are, whose lives are just waiting for their salary to come?"

8. "Every beginning is indeed difficult. By starting, half the work is already done, as the saying goes. Stop! Any form of racism against minorities should never happen again in Indonesia. It is a shameful disgrace. In over half a century and with Pancasila, this cruelty could only happen due to hypocrisy in power."

9. "I didn't become rich because of their generosity. They didn't become rich because of my generosity. That is wisdom."

10. "Whoever doesn't know their own strength, doesn't know their own weaknesses. Whoever doesn't know both, is confused in their ignorance."

11. "A friend in need is a friend indeed. Don't underestimate friendship. Its greatness is greater than the heat of enmity."

12. "A person without principles is as low as the lowest of humans."

13. "There is no person who dislikes praise. If someone feels humiliated by praise, it means that person has a deceitful heart."

14. "If there is unity, we can accomplish anything, let alone moving houses, mountains, and oceans."

15. "Life is truly simple. It's only the interpretations that are great."

16. "This world would be beautiful if the youth still knew the struggle!"

17. "Write, because without writing, you will be lost in the whirlwind of history."

18. "The strength we possess may not be equal to the injustice that exists, but one thing is certain: God knows that we have tried to fight against it."

19. "Just like rice, the more it has, the more it should bow down. Not look up and be unsatisfied."

20. "Don't be a criminal in love - conquering women with the jingle of money, the sparkle of wealth, and rank. Men these days are also criminals, while the women who are conquered are just prostitutes."

2. Inspirational Words from Pramoedya Ananta Toer

Illustration (Credit: Freepik)

His different and peculiar thoughts at that time made Pram loved by young people until now. The words of Pramoedya Ananta Toer in Bumi Manusia are like mandatory readings for literature lovers.

You can also admire Pram through his inspirational short quotes. Here are the words of Pramoedya Ananta Toer that you can read.

21. "Don't become a civil servant, be the master of yourself. Don't eat the sweat of others, eat your own sweat. And that is proven by work."

22. "You must be grateful for everything that gives you life, even if it's just a horse."

23. "From top to bottom, there are prohibitions, oppression, orders, insults. From bottom to top, there are flattery, obedience, and slavery."

24. "Because you write. Your voice will not be extinguished by the wind, it will be eternal, far away, in the future."

25. "For me, words of comfort are just like washing feet." Refreshing. But meaningless."

26. "In the past, your ancestors always taught that there is nothing simpler than life: being born, eating and drinking, growing, reproducing, and doing good deeds."

27. "Be fair in your thoughts. Don't judge if you don't know the real situation."

28. "Passion for work is a sign of vitality; and as long as people don't like to work, they are actually shaking hands with death."

29. "People say there are unexpected powerful forces that can arise in the ocean, in volcanoes, and in individuals who truly know their life's purpose."

30. "An educated person must also learn to be fair in their thoughts, let alone their actions."

31. "You can advance in your studies, maybe achieve any number of academic degrees, but without loving literature, you will remain just clever animals."

32. "Someone can be as smart as the sky, but as long as they don't write, they will be lost in society and in history. Writing is working for eternity."

33. "I always believe, and this is more of a mystical thing, that tomorrow will be better than today."

34. "If a lawyer doesn't feel offended by legal violations, they should become a street sweeper."

35. "You young people, if you don't have courage, you are no different from livestock because your purpose in life is only to breed."

3. Meaningful Words from Pramoedya Ananta Toer

Illustration (Credit: Freepik)

Pram, who continued to write until the end of his life, deserves to be remembered as an influential writer to this day. Pramoedya Ananta Toer's words are meaningful and captivating when read.

Criticism, advice, or concerns are conveyed subtly and leave readers in awe. To find out, let's take a look at Pramoedya Ananta Toer's meaningful words below.

36. "Blessed is he who eats from his own sweat, rejoices in his own efforts, and progresses through his own experiences."

37. "How simple this life is, it's only the twists and interpretations that complicate it."

38. "Friendship is stronger than the heat of enmity."

39. "The higher the education, it doesn't mean consuming other people's food. It should increase awareness of boundaries."

40. "In our lives, we only have one thing, which is courage. Without it, what is the value of our lives?"

41. "The sea remains rich, it's only the hearts and minds of humans that become shallower and poorer."

42. "A reasonable person must have a friend, selfless friendship. Without a friend, life will be too lonely."

43. "As religious people, it is not right to deny promises, it is not right to betray. Islam does not teach or obligate betrayal to the people and fellow human beings."

44. "If the house is broken, so is the one who inhabits it."

45. "This world is in vain if one person has to be stepped on to elevate another."

46. "Betraying this revolution means betraying oneself, betraying the public who pays for it."

47. "In this world, there is no greater joy than a father's joy in being reunited with his child."

48. "The mistake of smart people is considering others foolish, and the mistake of foolish people is considering others smart."

49. "This life is balanced, Sir. Whoever only looks at his intelligence, he is crazy. Whoever only looks at his suffering, he is sick."

50. "My world is not about positions, ranks, salaries, and deceit. My world is the human earth with its problems."

Those are a few words from Pramoedya Ananta Toer that you can read. Besides that, also read his works in their entirety to get a more sensational experience and a source of inspiration to emulate.

(kpl/ans)