Out of a hundred people: Those who always know better- 52 Doubting every step- all the rest Glad to lend a hand if it doesn’t take too long- as high as 49 Always good, because they can’t be otherwise- 4 maybe 5 Able to admire without envy- 18 Living in constant fear of something or someone- 77 Capable of happiness- 20 something tops Harmless singly, savage in crowds- half at least Wise after the fact- just a couple more than wise before it Taking only things from life- 30 (I wish I were wrong) Righteous- 35, which is a lot Righteous and understanding- 3 Worthy of compassion- 99 Mortal- 100 out of 100 (Thus far this figure still remains unchanged.)

— Wisława Szymborska

#statistics #wisdom #life