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Our emotions Are only “incidents” In the effort to keep day and night together.
T. S. Eliot
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote suggests that our emotions are transient events in the broader context of life, which is a continuous cycle of day and night.

T. S. Eliot's quote reflects the philosophical idea that emotions are fleeting and serve as mere 'incidents' in our journey through life. He likens life to the day-night cycle, emphasizing that while emotions may rise and fall like the sun and moon, they are part of a larger, ongoing experience. This perspective invites us to view our feelings with a sense of detachment, understanding that they contribute to the overall rhythm of existence rather than define it.

Themes

EmotionsLifePhilosophyTransienceExperience

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech on emotional resilience, one might quote this to illustrate the temporary nature of feelings.

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There is no feeling, except the extremes of fear and grief, that does not find relief in music.
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In the faint moonlight, the grass is singing
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Quote by T. S. Eliot | QuoteProject