Everybody must be managed. Queens must be managed. Kings must be managed, for men want managing almost as much as women, and that's saying a good deal.
Thomas HardyRead
Because what's the use of learning that I am one of a long row only - finding out that there is set down in some old book somebody just like me, and to know that I shall only act her part; making me sad, that's all. The best is not to remember your nature and your past doings have been just like thousands' and thousands', and that your coming life and doings'll be like thousands' and thousands'.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the idea of individuality versus collective human experience.
In this quote, Thomas Hardy contemplates the existential struggle of recognizing one's individuality amidst the overwhelming realization that many aspects of life have already been experienced by countless others. He suggests that knowing our lives are mere repetitions of histories can lead to sadness, and that the best course may be to detach from this knowledge and focus on living authentically without the burden of conformity to the past.
Themes
IndividualityExistenceHistoryHuman ExperienceSadness
In practice
Example use cases
During a philosophy discussion on the nature of existence and individuality.
More from Thomas Hardy
All quotes →But nothing is more insidious than the evolution of wishes from mere fancies, and of wants from mere wishes.
Thomas HardyRead
I wish I had never been born--there or anywhere else.
Thomas HardyRead
Her affection for him was now the breath and life of Tess's being; it enveloped her as a photosphere, irradiated her into forgetfulness of her past sorrows, keeping back the gloomy spectres that would persist in their attempts to touch her—doubt, fear, moodiness, care, shame. She knew that they were waiting like wolves just outside the circumscribing light, but she had long spells of power to keep them in hungry subjection there.
Thomas HardyRead
The trees have inquisitive eyes, haven't they? -that is, seem as if they had. And the river says,-'Why do ye trouble me with your looks?' And you seem to see numbers of to-morrows just all in a line, the first of them the biggest and clearest, the others getting smaller and smaller as they stand further away; but they all seem very fierce and cruel and as if they said, 'I'm coming! Beware of me! Beware of me!
Thomas HardyRead
Of course poets have morals and manners of their own, and custom is no argument with them.
Thomas HardyRead
Similar quotes
Trust and value your own divinity as well as your connection to nature. Seeing God's work everywhere will be your reward.
Wayne DyerRead
If it can be verified, we don't need faith... Faith is for that which lies on the other side of reason. Faith is what makes life bearable, with all its tragedies and ambiguities and sudden, startling joys.
Madeleine L'EngleRead
There are many things akin to highest deity that are still obscure. Some may be too subtle for our powers of comprehension, others imperceptible to us because such exalted majesty conceals itself in the holiest part of its sanctuary, forbidding access to any power save that of the spirit. How many heavenly bodies revolve unseen by human eye!
Seneca The YoungerRead
Some judge of authors' names, not works, and then Nor praise nor blame the writings, but the men.
Alexander PopeRead
Where constraint breaks people, and mediation makes fools of them, the seduction of power is what makes them love their oppression. Because of it, people give up their real riches for a cause that mutilates them; for an appearance that reifies them; for roles that wrest them from authentic life; for a time whose passage defines and confines them.
Raoul VaneigemRead
And you know, there's less charm in life when you think about death--but it's more peaceful.
Leo TolstoyRead