---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Reality, the present, the irreparable…"
description: "\"“Reality, the present, the irreparable, the necessary, repel and even terrify me. I have too much imagination, conscience, and penetration and not enou..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba0/henri-fr-d-ric-amiel-27187_life_reality-the-present-the-irreparable-the_1945117.jpg"
---

#  Reality, the present, the irreparable, the necessary…

![“Reality, the present, the irreparable, the necessary, repel and even terrify me. I have too much imagination, conscience, and penetration and not enough character. The life of thought alone seems to me to have enough elasticity and immensity, to be free enough from the irreparable; practical life…” quote by Henri-Frédéric Amiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba0/henri-fr-d-ric-amiel-27187_life_reality-the-present-the-irreparable-the_1945117.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba0/henri-fr-d-ric-amiel-27187_life_reality-the-present-the-irreparable-the_1945117.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba0/henri-fr-d-ric-amiel-27187_life_reality-the-present-the-irreparable-the_1945117.jpg)

> ““Reality, the present, the irreparable, the necessary, repel and even terrify me. I have too much imagination, conscience, and penetration and not enough character. The life of thought alone seems to me to have enough elasticity and immensity, to be free enough from the irreparable; practical life makes me afraid. I am distrustful of myself and of happiness because I know myself. The ideal poisons for me all imperfect possession. And I abhor useless regrets and repentance.””

[Henri-Frédéric Amiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-fr-d-ric-amiel/)

## About This Quote

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

The speaker feels overwhelmed by imagination and introspection, fearing practical life and lacking confidence in character and happiness.

**In simple terms:** Imagination overwhelms, practical life scares him.

Key Takeaway

Balance thought with action, build character.

Themes

self-doubt introspection imagination practicality

Mood

reflective melancholic

Type

philosophical introspective

When to use this quote

- creative work
- personal relationships
- decision making
- self-improvement

Key Concepts

existentialism psychology self-awareness

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you channel imagination into constructive action?
- What small steps build character?

A Different Perspective

Too much introspection can hinder concrete progress.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Imagination Conscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagination-conscience-667095/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-thought/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Practical life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practical-life/) [Present Irreparable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/present-irreparable-3123505/) [Terrify Imagination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrify-imagination-3123506/) [Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought/)

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