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Always there are excellent reasons for these lapses, if…

“Always there are excellent reasons for these lapses, if the hermit but knew them. Though he is stagnant in his cell, his connections without are whirling in the very vortex of life. That void interval which passes for him so slowly that the very clocks seem at a stand, and the wingless hours plod…” quote by Charlotte Brontë
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““Always there are excellent reasons for these lapses, if the hermit but knew them. Though he is stagnant in his cell, his connections without are whirling in the very vortex of life. That void interval which passes for him so slowly that the very clocks seem at a stand, and the wingless hours plod by in the likeness of tired tramps prone to rest at milestones— that same interval, perhaps, teems with events, and pants with hurry for his friends.””

Charlotte Brontë

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A hermit’s isolation makes time feel endless, yet the world outside is full of activity and opportunity that he misses.

In simple terms: Isolation slows perception while life rushes by.

Key Takeaway

Stay aware of outside events even when withdrawn.

Themes

isolation time perception missed opportunities reflection connection

Mood

contemplative melancholic

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • personal growth
  • career planning
  • relationship building
  • creative projects

Key Concepts

existentialism mindfulness temporal distortion

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does your routine affect your sense of time?
  • What can you do to stay connected while focusing inward?
A Different Perspective

Being isolated can limit insight into external changes.

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