--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Reality seems valueless by comparison…" description: "\"Reality seems valueless by comparison with the dreams of fevered imaginations; reality is therefore abandoned.\" — Emile Durkheim" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d5/emile-durkheim-7413_abandoned_reality-seems-valueless-by-comparison-wi_1673566.jpg" --- # Reality seems valueless by comparison with the dreams of… ![“Reality seems valueless by comparison with the dreams of fevered imaginations; reality is therefore abandoned.” quote by Emile Durkheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d5/emile-durkheim-7413_abandoned_reality-seems-valueless-by-comparison-wi_1673566.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d5/emile-durkheim-7413_abandoned_reality-seems-valueless-by-comparison-wi_1673566.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d5/emile-durkheim-7413_abandoned_reality-seems-valueless-by-comparison-wi_1673566.jpg) > “Reality seems valueless by comparison with the dreams of fevered imaginations; reality is therefore abandoned.” [Emile Durkheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-durkheim/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote suggests that ordinary reality feels insignificant when measured against vivid, imaginative dreams, leading one to reject reality. **In simple terms:** Dreams make reality seem empty, causing abandonment. Key Takeaway Recognize the value of both reality and imagination. Themes existentialism perception reality imagination illusion Mood reflective melancholic Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - artistic creation - goal setting - personal growth - spiritual practice Key Concepts subjective experience value judgment psychology Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance imagination with everyday life? - What value does reality hold despite its shortcomings? A Different Perspective Dreams can be escapist and ignore practical responsibilities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abandoned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abandoned/) [Comparison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comparison/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Fevered Imaginations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fevered-imaginations-884268/) [Imaginations Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imaginations-reality-884269/) [Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality/) [Reality Abandoned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality-abandoned-884266/) [Reality Valueless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality-valueless-884267/) ## Related quotes > [From top to bottom of the ladder, greed is aroused without knowing where to find ultimate foothold. Nothing can calm it, since its goal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-durkheim/from-top-to-bottom-of-the-ladder-greed-is-aroused-without-knowing/) [Emile Durkheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-durkheim/) > [I just feel abandoned. And I feel, I don't feel represented by the Republican Party. I have always had to defend the social side…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-johnson/i-just-feel-abandoned-and-i-feel-i-don-t-feel-represented-by-the/) [Gary Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-johnson/) > [Blacks abandoned morals, fathers, and real belief in God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-lee-peterson/blacks-abandoned-morals-fathers-and-real-belief-in-god/) [Jesse Lee Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-lee-peterson/) > [I've never been keen on open adoption. 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But in doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/in-russia-there-is-an-emigration-of-intelligence-migr-s-cross-the/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [When good media takes a bounded form, and comes once in a period of time, it begs to be consumed as a whole -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-battelle/when-good-media-takes-a-bounded-form-and-comes-once-in-a-period-of/) [John Battelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-battelle/) > [It’s hard to feel attracted to someone who has abandoned her sense of autonomy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-perel/it-s-hard-to-feel-attracted-to-someone-who-has-abandoned-her-sense-of/) [Esther Perel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-perel/) > [“I'm surprised when I walk right into yet another abandoned hunters' camp. Tattered plastic sheeting still hangs askew here and there. 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Let all social life disappear and morality will disappear with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-durkheim/man-is-a-moral-being-only-because-he-lives-in-society-let-all-social/) [Emile Durkheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-durkheim/) > [One does not advance when one walks toward no goal, or - which is the same thing - when his goal is infinity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-durkheim/one-does-not-advance-when-one-walks-toward-no-goal-or-which-is-the/) [Emile Durkheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-durkheim/) > [The roles of art, morality, religion, political faith, science itself are not to repair organic exhaustion nor to provide sound functioning of the organs.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-durkheim/the-roles-of-art-morality-religion-political-faith-science-itself-are/) [Emile Durkheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-durkheim/) > [One cannot long remain so absorbed in contemplation of emptiness without being increasingly attracted to it. 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