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What a phantasmagoria the mind is and meeting-place of…

“What a phantasmagoria the mind is and meeting-place of dissemblables! At one moment we deplore our birth and state and aspire to an ascetic exaltation; the next we are overcome by the smell of some old garden path and weep to hear the thrushes sing.” quote by Virginia Woolf
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““What a phantasmagoria the mind is and meeting-place of dissemblables! At one moment we deplore our birth and state and aspire to an ascetic exaltation; the next we are overcome by the smell of some old garden path and weep to hear the thrushes sing.””

Virginia Woolf

About This Quote

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

The mind constantly shifts between lofty aspirations and simple sensory joys, revealing its contradictory nature.

In simple terms: The mind swings between high ideals and simple pleasures.

Key Takeaway

Embrace both depth and simplicity.

Themes

contradiction mind sensory aspiration

Mood

reflective poetic

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • creative writing
  • personal reflection
  • mindfulness
  • artistic inspiration

Key Concepts

psychology human nature dualism

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance lofty goals with everyday joys?
  • What triggers your mind to shift focus?
A Different Perspective

The mind can be overwhelmed by conflicting desires, leading to indecision.

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