Quote by Teju Cole: “To be alive is to be a work in progress.”

This concise quote suggests that existence itself implies continuous development and change. It means we are constantly evolving, learning, and refining ourselves throughout our lives, rather than ever reaching a fixed, final state. This perspective encourages acceptance of ongoing personal transformation.

In an era of rapid social and technological change, Cole's essays often explore themes of identity, perception, and the human condition, inviting readers to embrace fluidity and continuous self-redefinition rather than static identities.

Nigerian-American writer and photographer whose debut novel Open City won the Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award in 2012. His work fuses memoir, criticism, and fiction to examine race, movement, and identity in the postcolonial world.