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But I, being poor, have only my dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.
William Butler Yeats
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote expresses the fragility of dreams and the impact others can have on them.

William Butler Yeats' quote reflects the deep significance of dreams in our lives, especially for those who feel they have little else. It serves as a poignant reminder to treat the aspirations and hopes of others with care, as they can be delicate and vulnerable to being crushed by insensitivity or disregard.

Themes

DreamsFragilityAspirationsSensitivityCare

In practice

Example use cases

Using this quote in a motivational speech about pursuing dreams.

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Love is created and preserved by intellectual analysis, for we love only that which is unique, and it belongs to contemplation, not to action, for we would not change that which we love.
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I believe when I am in the mood that all nature is full of people whom we cannot see, and that some of these are ugly or grotesque, and some wicked or foolish, but very many beautiful beyond any one we have ever seen, and that these are not far away... and the simple of all times and the wise men of ancient times have seen them and even spoken to them.
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