Air Quote by Daphne du Maurier
“The urge to climb will never be explained. In olden days, perhaps it was a wish to reach the stars. Today, anyone so minded can buy a seat on a plane and feel himself master of the skies. Even so, he will not have rock under his feet, or air upon his face; nor will he know the silence that comes only on the hills.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Rebecca, 1938
Human desire to soar reflects a deep yearning for freedom and transcendence, yet physical limits remain.
In simple terms: People want to fly, but reality limits them.
Key Takeaway
Balance ambition with awareness of constraints.
Themes
freedom
aspiration
human nature
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- travel
- personal growth
- creative writing
Key Concepts
flight
psychology
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “master of the skies” symbolize for you?
- How can you pursue freedom safely?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may romanticize flight, ignoring practical risks.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
![“[A]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air. And be careful what you swallow.” quote by Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/da8/dr-seuss-1224_advice_a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-f_6806.jpg)