And yet, and yet, in these our ghostly lives, Half night, half day, half sleeping, half awake, How if our waking life, like that of sleep, Be all a dream in that eternal life To which we wake not till we sleep in death
Pedro Calderon De La BarcaRead
In this treacherous world Nothing is the truth nor a lie. Everything depends on the color Of the crystal through which one sees it
Interpretation
What this quote means
Perception shapes reality; truths can vary based on perspective.
This quote by Pedro Calderón de la Barca suggests that the concepts of truth and falsehood are subjective and can differ depending on individual interpretation. The metaphor of color and crystal implies that our views, beliefs, and preconceptions filter and color our understanding of the world, making reality a personal construct rather than an absolute state.
Themes
PerceptionTruthSubjectivityRealityPerspective
In practice
Example use cases
In discussions about politics and social issues, when someone states their opinion, you might say this quote to highlight different perspectives.
More from Pedro Calderon De La Barca
All quotes →What is life? A madness. What is life? An illusion, a shadow, a story. And the greatest good is little enough: for all life is a dream, and dreams themselves are only dreams.
Pedro Calderon De La BarcaRead
But whether it be dream or truth, to do well is what matters. If it be truth, for truth's sake. If not, then to gain friends for the time when we awaken.
Pedro Calderon De La BarcaRead
Tis not where we lie but whence we fell; the loss of Heaven's the greatest pain in Hell.
Pedro Calderon De La BarcaRead
Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises.
Pedro Calderon De La BarcaRead
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