Pablo Neruda, was a Chilean poet-diplomat and politician. This was actually a pseudonym, as the poet’s real name was Ricardo Eliécer Neftalí Reyes Basoalto.
Neruda used to write poetry ever since he was 10 years old, but his father never agreed to his interest in writing and literature. In order to avoid his father’s disapproval, he chose to publish his poems under a pen name.
By the age of 20, Pablo Neruda became an international writer and was called, by the novelist Gabriel García Márquez, "the greatest poet of the 20th century in any language". Due to his natural talent and poetic mastery, Neruda was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971.
Even though Neruda suffered from prostate cancer, he was believed to have died under suspicious circumstances. Thus, his body was exhumed in 2013 and a serious investigation was launched. However, the forensic team stated that no relevant chemical substances were found in Neruda’s body.
Here are 14 beautiful Pablo Neruda quotes that will make you fall back in love with the life you were given:
To feel the love of people whom we love is a fire that feeds our life.
Someday, somewhere - anywhere, unfailingly, you'll find yourself, and that, and only that, can be the happiest or bitterest hour of your life.
Laughter is the language of the soul.
Love is so short, forgetting is so long.
You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep spring from coming.
A child who does not play is not a child, but the man who doesn't play has lost forever the child who lived in him and who he will miss terribly.
I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you simply, without problems or pride: I love you in this way because I do not know any other way of loving but this…
Deny me bread, air, light, spring, but never your laughter for I would die.
Love is not about property, diamonds and gifts. It is about sharing your very self with the world around you.
If nothing saves us from death, at least love should save us from life.
Only a burning patience will lead to the attainment of a splendid happiness.
Let us forget with generosity those who cannot love us.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved, in secret, between the shadow and the soul.
Loving is a journey with water and with stars, with smothered air and abrupt storms of flour: loving is a clash of lightning-bolts and two bodies defeated by a single drop of honey.
Woman holding her child's clothing.Marla Branyan / @marla_branyan
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.