There is no feeling, except the extremes of fear and grief, that does not find relief in music.
T. S. EliotRead
The historical sense involves a perception, not only of the pastness of the past, but of its presence
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that understanding history requires recognizing its influence on the present, not just acknowledging it as a remote time period.
T.S. Eliot emphasizes the importance of grasping the connection between the past and the present. He argues that to fully understand history, one must perceive it not merely as a series of events that have occurred, but as a continuum that shapes current reality. This historical sense allows individuals to appreciate the relevance and impact of past experiences, choices, and cultures on contemporary life.
Themes
HistoryPresentInfluencePerceptionPast
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech reflecting on the importance of history in education.
More from T. S. Eliot
All quotes βHalf of the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don't mean to do harm. But the harm does not interest them.
T. S. EliotRead
I am an Anglo-Catholic in religion, a classicist in literature and a royalist in politics.
T. S. EliotRead
If you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?
T. S. EliotRead
For I have known them all already, known them allβ Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons, I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.
T. S. EliotRead
In the faint moonlight, the grass is singing
T. S. EliotRead
Similar quotes
The literature of the inner life is very largely a record of struggle with the inordinate passions of the social self.
Charles Horton CooleyRead
For a time, I believed not in God nor Santa Claus, but in mermaids. They seemed as logical and possible to me as the brittle twig of a seahorse in the zoo aquarium or the skates lugged up on the lines of cursing Sunday fishermen - skates the shape of old pillowslips with the full, coy lips of women.
Sylvia PlathRead
We must strive to become good ancestors.
Ralph NaderRead
Those reformers who preach against image-worship, or what they denounce as idolatry - to them I say "Brothers, if you are fit to worship God-without-form discarding all external help, do so, but why do you condemn others who cannot do the same?"
Swami VivekanandaRead
Two monks sit facing, playing chess on the mountain, The bamboo shadow on the board is dark and clear. Not a person sees the bamboo's shadow, One sometimes hears the pieces being moved.
Bai JuyiRead
I'm writing this book because we're all going to die.
Jack KerouacRead