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I drank a second mouthful in which I find nothing more…

“I drank a second mouthful in which I find nothing more than in the first, then a third which gives me rather less than the second. It is time to stop; the potion is losing its magic.” quote by Marcel Proust
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“I drank a second mouthful in which I find nothing more than in the first, then a third which gives me rather less than the second. It is time to stop; the potion is losing its magic.”

Marcel Proust

About This Quote

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

Repeated attempts lose their charm; the novelty fades, signaling it’s time to stop.

In simple terms: Things become less exciting after many tries.

Key Takeaway

Know when to quit.

Themes

patience disenchantment repetition limits

Mood

thoughtful cautious

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

  • habits
  • experiments
  • relationships
  • creative projects

Key Concepts

Diminishing returns self‑regulation

Questions to Reflect On

  • When is persistence more valuable than novelty?
  • How do you gauge diminishing returns?
A Different Perspective

Stopping too early may miss breakthroughs.

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