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I looked upon a clock to find the truth. The hours were passing like ivory chess figures, striking piano notes, and the minutes raced on wires mounted like tin soldiers. Hours like tall ebony women with gongs between their legs, tolling continuously so that I could not count them. I heard the rolling of my heart-beats; I heard the footsteps of my dreams, and the beat of time was lost among them like the face of truth.
Anais Nin
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote illustrates the complex interplay between time, truth, and perception in life.

Anais Nin's quote reflects on the nature of time and how it interacts with human experience and aspiration. By using vivid imagery and metaphor, she conveys a sense of urgency, the fleeting nature of time, and the difficulty in grasping truth amidst the chaos of life. The comparison of time to chess figures and soldiers highlights both its strategic and imposing qualities, suggesting that understanding truth requires a deep engagement with the passage of time and our own inner rhythms.

Themes

TimeTruthPerceptionLifeDreams

In practice

Example use cases

During a philosophical discussion on the nature of time and existence.

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Quote by Anais Nin | QuoteProject