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And so I told myself to take that one. Because Father said…

“And so I told myself to take that one. Because Father said clocks slay time. He said time is dead as long as it is being clicked off by little wheels; only when the clock stops does time come to life. The hands were extended, slightly off the horizontal at a faint angle, like a gull tilting into…” quote by William Faulkner
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““And so I told myself to take that one. Because Father said clocks slay time. He said time is dead as long as it is being clicked off by little wheels; only when the clock stops does time come to life. The hands were extended, slightly off the horizontal at a faint angle, like a gull tilting into the wind.””

William Faulkner

About This Quote

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

Time is depicted as a living entity that only becomes alive when the clock stops, suggesting that true existence is felt beyond measured moments.

In simple terms: Time feels alive when unmeasured.

Key Takeaway

Value moments beyond schedules.

Themes

time existence perception

Mood

reflective poetic

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • mindfulness practice
  • creative writing
  • philosophical reflection
  • life planning

Key Concepts

Phenomenology literary symbolism psychology

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you experience time beyond clocks?
  • What moments feel most alive?
A Different Perspective

Stopping time is impossible; we must still manage it.

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