Dream Quote by Fernando Pessoa
““… satisfied with dreams only when I’m not dreaming, satisfied with the world only when I’m dreaming far away from it. A swinging pendulum that goes back and forth, forever moving to arrive nowhere, eternally tethered to the twin fatality of a centre and a useless motion …””
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Book of Disquiet, 1913
The speaker feels content only when detached from reality, likening existence to a futile pendulum swinging between emptiness and endless motion.
In simple terms: Contentment only when distant from reality; life feels like a pointless swing.
Key Takeaway
Embrace presence, seek meaning beyond endless motion.
Themes
existential
detachment
meaninglessness
longing
Mood
melancholic
contemplative
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- personal reflection
- mindfulness practice
Key Concepts
philosophy
metaphor
duality
Questions to Reflect On
- How does distance affect satisfaction?
- What gives motion purpose?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may oversimplify complex emotional states.
