...by and by a change came: I started to muse about the shape of my nose. I put my trivial surroundings aside and mused more and more about myself, and I found this to be a bewitching occupation. I stopped asking and longed instead to speak of my thoughts and feelings. Alas, there was no one besides myself who found me interesting.
Interpretation
This quote reflects on introspection and the journey of self-discovery.
Tove Jansson's quote explores the transition from external distractions to a deep inner contemplation about oneself. It illustrates how an individual can become captivated by their own thoughts and emotions, desiring to express themselves, yet feeling isolated in this pursuit, as no one appears to share the same interest in their inner world.
In practice
Use this quote during a discussion on the importance of knowing oneself.
Look at The Adventure. A boat by night is a wonderful sight. This is the way to start a new life, with a hurricane lamp shining at the top of the mast, and the coastline disappearing behind one as the whole world lies sleeping. Making a journey by night is more wonderful than anything in the world.
It is simply this: do not tire, never lose interest, never grow indifferent—lose your invaluable curiosity and you let yourself die. It's as simple as that.
A very long time ago, Grandmother had wanted to tell about all the things they did, but no one had bothered to ask. And now she had lost the urge.
Smell is important. It reminds a person of all the things he's been through; it is a sheath of memories and security.
I love borders. August is the border between summer and autumn; it is the most beautiful month I know. Twilight is the border between day and night, and the shore is the border between sea and land. The border is longing: when both have fallen in love but still haven't said anything. The border is to be on the way. It is the way that is the most important thing.
''Just think, never to be glad or disappointed. Never to like anyone and get cross at him and forgive him. Never to sleep or feel cold, never to make a mistake and have a stomach-ache and be cured from it, never to have a birthday party, drink beer, and have a bad conscience... How terrible.
Taste cannot be controlled by law.
As a man, casting off worn out garments taketh new ones, so the dweller in the body, entereth into ones that are new.
The truth was that for some months he had been going through that partitioning of the things of youth wherein it is decided whether or not to die for what one no longer believes.
Memory is so corrupt that you remember only what you want to; if you want to forget about something, slowly but surely you do.
I don't think you ever understand your life - not till it's finished and probably not then either. The more I live the less I seem to understand.
I really don't want to portray the Islamists as simply evil, the way it's often done in the west.
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