For life is tendency, and the essence of a tendency is to develop in the form of a sheaf, creating, by its very growth, divergent directions among which its impetus is divided.
Henri BergsonRead
There are manifold tones of mental life, or, in other words, our psychic life may be lived at different heights, now nearer to action, now further removed from it, according to the degree of our attention to life.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Our mental experiences vary in intensity based on our focus on life.
Henri Bergson's quote suggests that our mental life is complex and can be experienced at various levels. The idea is that depending on how much attention we give to our experiences, we can either be deeply engaged with the actions of life or be more detached and reflective. This fluctuating nature of focus influences how we perceive and interact with the world around us.
Themes
Mental LifeAttentionExperienceFocusPsychic Life
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational seminar, to emphasize the importance of being present.
More from Henri Bergson
All quotes →To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly.
Henri BergsonRead
Laughter is the corrective force which prevents us from becoming cranks.
Henri BergsonRead
I believe that the time given to refutation in philosophy is usually time lost. Of the many attacks directed by many thinkers against each other, what now remains? Nothing, or assuredly very little. That which counts and endures is the modicum of positive truth which each contributes. The true statement is, of itself, able to displace the erroneous idea, and becomes, without our having taken the trouble of refuting anyone, the best of refutations.
Henri BergsonRead
Religion is to mysticism what popularization is to science
Henri BergsonRead
And I also see how this body influences external images: it gives back movement to them.
Henri BergsonRead
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