I had thought in those years, I suppose, having learned…
““I had thought in those years, I suppose, having learned the lesson from my mother well, that it was foolish to ask for too much out of life, afterwards only to live in the wake of that expectation, an irreducible disappointment. But what pain, I thought now, could be greater than to realize that even the practical reality for which you had assumed to settle upon, did not hold – that even that was illusory? Would it not be better, then, to set your sights on some more fantastic and rare dream from which even in failing you might take some comfort in having once aspired?””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Unrealistic expectations lead to disappointment; dreaming bigger offers comfort even if unattainable.
In simple terms: High expectations cause pain; aim higher for hope.
Key Takeaway
Dream beyond limits.
Themes
dreams
disappointment
expectations
comfort
hope
Mood
hopeful
reflective
Type
Disappointment:1
Inspirational success failure:0
Life:1
Parenting:0
Pain Thought:0
Learned Lesson:0
Reality Assumed:0
Dream Failing:0
Having Aspired:0
When to use this quote
- career planning
- personal growth
- creative projects
Key Concepts
philosophy
psychology
motivational
Questions to Reflect On
- What expectations have disappointed you?
- How can you balance ambition and realism?
A Different Perspective
Dreams may be unattainable and cause distress.