I can only note that the past is beautiful because one never realises an emotion at the time. It expands later, and thus we don't have complete emotions about the present, only about the past.
Virginia WoolfRead
There must be another life, she thought, sinking back into her chair, exasperated. Not in dreams; but here and now, in this room, with living people. She felt as if she were standing on the edge of a precipice with her hair blown back; she was about to grasp something that just evaded her. There must be another life, here and now, she repeated. This is too short, too broken. We know nothing, even about ourselves.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses a yearning for a deeper understanding of life beyond superficial existence.
Virginia Woolf's quote reflects the complexity of human existence and the search for meaning in our lives. The imagery of standing on the edge of a precipice conveys a sense of urgency and the need to grasp the essence of life, suggesting that existence can feel fragmented and incomplete. Woolf’s character longs for a more profound connection with reality and herself, highlighting the existential quest to uncover the deeper truths of life within the present moment.
Themes
LifeExistenceMeaningSelf-DiscoveryPhilosophyReality
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of self-reflection, one might say, 'As Virginia Woolf poignantly reminds us, we must seek deeper connections in our lives.'
More from Virginia Woolf
All quotes →Death is woven in with the violets,” said Louis. “Death and again death.”)
Virginia WoolfRead
He began to search among the infinite series of impressions which time had laid down, leaf upon leaf, fold upon fold softly, incessantly upon his brain; among scents, sounds; voices, harsh, hollow, sweet; and lights passing, and brooms tapping; and the wash and hush of the sea.
Virginia WoolfRead
I want to think quietly, calmly, spaciously, never to be interrupted, never to have to rise from my chair, to slip easily from one thing to another, without any sense of hostility, or obstacle. I want to sink deeper and deeper, away from the surface, with its hard separate facts.
Virginia WoolfRead
I do think all good and evil comes from words. I have to tune myself into a good temper with something musical, and I run to a book as a child to its mother.
Virginia WoolfRead
London perpetually attracts, stimulates, gives me a play and a story and a poem, without any trouble, save that of moving my legs through the streets... To walk alone through London is the greatest rest.
Virginia WoolfRead
Similar quotes
How prudently most men creep into nameless graves, while now and then one or two forget themselves into immortality.
Wendell PhillipsRead
If the believers in liberty wish the principles of liberty taught, let them never intrust that instruction to any government; for the nature of government is to become a thing apart, an institution existing for its own sake, preying upon the people, and teaching whatever will tend to keep it secure in its seat.
Voltairine De CleyreRead
The world has been created for everyone's use, but you few rich are trying to keep it up for yourselves. For not merely the possession of the earth, but the very sky, the air, and the sea are claimed for the use of the rich few... The earth belongs to all, not just to the rich.
AmbroseRead
A clash of doctrine is not a disaster, it is an opportunity.
Alfred North WhiteheadRead
As soon as we identify ourselves with the work we do, we feel miserable; but if we do not identify ourselves with it, we do not feel that misery.
Swami VivekanandaRead
It depends upon what the meaning of the word 'is' is. If 'is' means 'is and never has been' that's one thing - if it means 'there is none', that was a completely true statement.
William J. ClintonRead