Quote: I asked for very little from life

I asked for very little from life, and even this little was denied me. A nearby field, a ray of sunlight, a little bit of calm along with a bit of bread, not to feel oppressed by the knowledge that I exist, not to demand anything from others, and not to have others demand anything from me – this was denied me, like the spare change we might deny a beggar not because we are mean-hearted but because we don’t feel like unbuttoning our coat.

- The Book of Disquiet, by Fernando Pessoa (source)

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