15 pieces of wisdom from Gabriel García Márquez to fill you with hope

When Gabriel García Márquez began to work on his epic novel One Hundred Years of Solitude, he had to leave his job. He sold his car and ended up in a huge amount of debt. At one point, he even sold his wife’s favourite mixer and hair dryer just to get some money. After learning what he’d done, she said to him: "Don’t let this novel turn out bad".

Bright Side has collected some of the most profound and insightful quotes from this man, who was not just an incredibly talented writer, but also a person who — like many of us — went through tough times. If for any reason you’re feeling low, read on.

1. We have to try and hear the child’s voice that still remains inside of us. If we listen to that child, something will start burning behind our eyes again. If we lose the connection with the child, our connection with life will be over.
2. A person doesn’t die when he should but when he can.
3. The heart eliminates the bad memories and magnifies the good. It is only thanks to this artifice that we manage to endure the burdens of the past.
4. The problem with marriage is that it ends every night after making love, and it must be rebuilt every morning before breakfast.
5. Be calm. God’s waiting for you at the door.
6. I don’t wear a hat because I don’t want to have to take it off for anybody.
7. Crazy people are not crazy if one accepts their reasoning.
8. If a woman is dragged into something, I know that everything will be fine. It’s completely clear to me that women rule the world.
9. The invincible power that moves the world is an unrequited love, not a happy one.
10. There is always something left to love.
11. It’s better to come at the wrong time than to wait for an invitation.
12. One minute of reconciliation is worth more than a whole lifetime of friendship.
13. If you meet your true love, then he or she won’t be able to hide from you, anywhere — not in a week, or a month, or in a year.
14. Don’t let yourself die without knowing the wonder of making love.
15. Never stop smiling, not even when you’re sad, because you never know who may fall in love with your smile.