Skip to content

Ships at a distance have every man's wish on board. For…

“Ships at a distance have every man's wish on board. For some they come in with the tide. For others they sail forever on the same horizon, never out of sight, never landing until the Watcher turns his eyes away in resignation, his dreams mocked to death by Time. That is the life of men. Now, women…” quote by Zora Neale Hurston
Download Open image
“Ships at a distance have every man's wish on board. For some they come in with the tide. For others they sail forever on the same horizon, never out of sight, never landing until the Watcher turns his eyes away in resignation, his dreams mocked to death by Time. That is the life of men. Now, women forget all those things they don't want to remember, and remember everything they don't want to forget. The dream is the truth. Then they act and do things accordingly.”

Zora Neale Hurston

About This Quote

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

Life offers hopes that may arrive for some and remain distant for others, while women tend to forget unwanted memories and cling to painful truths, shaping their actions.

In simple terms: Hope can be fleeting; memory shapes behavior.

Key Takeaway

Recognize how memory influences choices.

Themes

hope memory gender time destiny

Mood

melancholic reflective hopeful

Type

narrative philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • relationships
  • career decisions
  • personal growth
  • grieving
  • self‑reflection

Key Concepts

existentialism psychology feminism

Questions to Reflect On

  • What hopes have you let drift?
  • How do you balance remembered pain with future actions?
A Different Perspective

Not all aspirations are attainable; societal expectations may limit outcomes.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Zora Neale Hurston

Explore all 326 Zora Neale Hurston quotes

More Boards quotes

Browse all 1,220 Boards quotes