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The division of one day from the next must be one of the…

“The division of one day from the next must be one of the most profound peculiarities of life on this planet. We are not condemned to sustained flights of being, but are constantly refreshed by little holidays from ourselves. We are intermittent creatures, always falling to little ends and rising…” quote by Iris Murdoch
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““The division of one day from the next must be one of the most profound peculiarities of life on this planet. We are not condemned to sustained flights of being, but are constantly refreshed by little holidays from ourselves. We are intermittent creatures, always falling to little ends and rising to new beginnings. Our soon-tired consciousness is meted out in chapters, and that the world will look quite different tomorrow is, both for our comfort and our discomfort, usually true. How marvelously too night matches sleep, sweet image of it, so nearly apportioned to our need. Angels must wonder at these beings who fall so regularly out of awareness into a fantasm-infested dark. How our frail identities survive these chasms no philosopher has ever been able to explain.””

Iris Murdoch

About This Quote

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

Life is composed of brief, recurring pauses that give us relief and renewal, shaping our perception of continuity and change.

In simple terms: We experience life in short, refreshing breaks that reset us.

Key Takeaway

Embrace and cherish the small pauses.

Themes

time renewal identity awareness philosophy

Mood

reflective contemplative

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • daily routines
  • creative work
  • mental health breaks
  • spiritual reflection

Key Concepts

existentialism psychology temporal perception

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you notice and honor your personal pauses?
  • What do these breaks reveal about your inner self?
A Different Perspective

These pauses can also mask underlying anxieties and prevent deeper engagement.

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