God how I hate new countries: They are older than the old, more sophisticated, much more conceited, only young in a certain puerile vanity more like senility than anything.
D. H. LawrenceRead
For whereas the mind works in possibilities, the intuitions work in actualities, and what you intuitively desire, that is possible to you. Whereas what you mentally or "consciously" desire is nine times out of ten impossible; hitch your wagon to a star, or you will just stay where you are.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the difference between mental aspirations and intuitive desires, suggesting that following intuitive desires leads to achievable aspirations.
D. H. Lawrence's quote highlights the distinction between our conscious thoughts and intuitive feelings. He asserts that while our minds often get caught up in what seems possible or realistic, our intuition knows what we truly want and can guide us toward those desires. Pursuing these intuitive aspirations is essential as merely relying on rational thoughts may lead to stagnation. The metaphor of 'hitching your wagon to a star' encourages us to aim high with our true desires, rather than settling for less.
Themes
IntuitionDesirePossibilitiesAspirationsPotential
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about pursuing dreams.
More from D. H. Lawrence
All quotes →A young man is afraid of his demon and puts his hand over the demon's mouth sometimes and speaks for him. And the things the young man says are very rarely poetry.
D. H. LawrenceRead
And besides, look at elder flowers and bluebells-they are a sign that pure creation takes place - even the butterfly. But humanity never gets beyond the caterpillar stage -it rots in the chrysalis, it never will have wings.It is anti-creation, like monkeys and baboons.
D. H. LawrenceRead
The Christian fear of the pagan outlook has damaged the whole consciousness of man.
D. H. LawrenceRead
The cosmos is a vast living body, of which we are still parts. The sun is a great heart whose tremors run through our smallest veins. The moon is a great nerve center from which we quiver forever. Who knows the power that Saturn has over us, or Venus? But it is a vital power, rippling exquisitely through us all the time.
D. H. LawrenceRead
... he preferred his own madness, to the regular sanity. He rejoiced in his own madness, he was free. He did not want that old sanity of the world, which was become so repulsive. He rejoiced in the new-found world of his madness. It was so fresh and delicate and so satisfying.
D. H. LawrenceRead
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