--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think of consciousness as a bottomless…" description: "\"I think of consciousness as a bottomless lake, whose waters seem transparent, yet into which we can clearly see but a little way.But in this water ther..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b7/charles-sanders-peirce-5105_cease_i-think-of-consciousness-as-a-bottomless_1796570.jpg" --- # I think of consciousness as a bottomless lake, whose… ![“I think of consciousness as a bottomless lake, whose waters seem transparent, yet into which we can clearly see but a little way.But in this water there are countless objects at different depths; and certain influences will give certain kinds of those objects an upward influence which may be…” quote by Charles Sanders Peirce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b7/charles-sanders-peirce-5105_cease_i-think-of-consciousness-as-a-bottomless_1796570.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b7/charles-sanders-peirce-5105_cease_i-think-of-consciousness-as-a-bottomless_1796570.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b7/charles-sanders-peirce-5105_cease_i-think-of-consciousness-as-a-bottomless_1796570.jpg) > “I think of consciousness as a bottomless lake, whose waters seem transparent, yet into which we can clearly see but a little way.But in this water there are countless objects at different depths; and certain influences will give certain kinds of those objects an upward influence which may be intense enough and continue long enough to bring them into the upper visible layer. After the impulse ceases they commence to sink downwards.” [Charles Sanders Peirce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-sanders-peirce/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Consciousness is likened to a deep lake where only shallow objects are visible, while deeper ideas surface temporarily under influence before sinking again. **In simple terms:** Ideas surface then sink in the mind. Key Takeaway Recognize fleeting insights and act before they fade. Themes philosophy mind perception Mood reflective inquisitive Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - research breakthroughs - creative brainstorming - problem solving - strategic planning Key Concepts pragmatism epistemology depth perception Questions to Reflect On - How can you capture fleeting ideas? - What influences bring deep thoughts to the surface? A Different Perspective Insights may be transient and require timely attention. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cease/) [Certain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/certain/) [Consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciousness/) [Consciousness Bottomless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciousness-bottomless-1858731/) [Depth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depth/) [Depths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depths/) [Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Different Depths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different-depths-1993363/) [Enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enough/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Impulse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impulse/) [Influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influence/) [Intense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intense/) [Kind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kind/) [Lakes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lakes/) [Layers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/layers/) [Littles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/littles/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Objects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/objects/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Seems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seems/) [Think Consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-consciousness-1858732/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Transparent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/transparent/) [Visible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/visible/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [Our whole past experience is continually in our consciousness, though most of it sunk to a great depth of dimness. 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