--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sometimes, though not often, he had…" description: "\"“Sometimes, though not often, he had dreams, and they were more painful than the dreams of other boys. For hours he could not be separated from these d..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c56/j-m-barrie-4860_dreams_sometimes-though-not-often-he-had-dreams_2170561.jpg" --- # Sometimes, though not often, he had dreams, and they were… ![“Sometimes, though not often, he had dreams, and they were more painful than the dreams of other boys. For hours he could not be separated from these dreams, though he wailed piteously in them. They had to do, I think, with the riddle of his existence.” quote by J.M. Barrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c56/j-m-barrie-4860_dreams_sometimes-though-not-often-he-had-dreams_2170561.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c56/j-m-barrie-4860_dreams_sometimes-though-not-often-he-had-dreams_2170561.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c56/j-m-barrie-4860_dreams_sometimes-though-not-often-he-had-dreams_2170561.jpg) > ““Sometimes, though not often, he had dreams, and they were more painful than the dreams of other boys. For hours he could not be separated from these dreams, though he wailed piteously in them. They had to do, I think, with the riddle of his existence.”” [J.M. Barrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-barrie/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A boy’s dreams are more painful than others’, hinting at a deeper existential mystery tied to his identity. **In simple terms:** Painful dreams hint at identity. Key Takeaway Explore how dreams reflect inner conflicts. Themes identity dreams existence pain Mood introspective melancholic Type literary psychological When to use this quote - adolescence - creative writing - therapy sessions Key Concepts psychology mythology self‑discovery Questions to Reflect On - What does your recurring dream reveal? - Can confronting dream pain aid self‑growth? A Different Perspective Dream pain may stem from unresolved issues, not just imagination. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Dreams Painful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams-painful-1224082/) [Dreams Wailed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams-wailed-4646022/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Painful Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painful-dreams-2288805/) [Separated Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/separated-dreams-4646024/) [Wailed Piteously](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wailed-piteously-4646023/) ## Related quotes > [If we can sleep without dreaming, it is well that painful dreams are avoided. If, while we sleep, we can have any pleasing dreams,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/if-we-can-sleep-without-dreaming-it-is-well-that-painful-dreams-are/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“It’s the mornings after the spider-and-heights dreams that are the most painful, that it takes sometimes three coffees and two showers and sometimes a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-foster-wallace/it-s-the-mornings-after-the-spider-and-heights-dreams-that-are-the/) [David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/) > [Dreams are not easy. Dreams are painful. They force work and commitment. They are challenging and motivating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kiyosaki/dreams-are-not-easy-dreams-are-painful-they-force-work-and-commitment/) [Robert Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kiyosaki/) > [“dreams with a painful content are to be analyzed as the fulfillments of wishes. Nor will it seem a matter of chance that in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigmund-freud/dreams-with-a-painful-content-are-to-be-analyzed-as-the-fulfillments/) [Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigmund-freud/) > [Dreams are always crushing when they don't come true. But it's the simple dreams that are often the most painful because they seem so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/dreams-are-always-crushing-when-they-don-t-come-true-but-it-s-the/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [“Doing the work to transform your dreams into reality is like walking across the earth. It can be that hard, and it can take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dragos-bratasanu/doing-the-work-to-transform-your-dreams-into-reality-is-like-walking/) [Dragos Bratasanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dragos-bratasanu/) > [Alone in a world, With millions of souls Walking in circles Trapped in their dreams unhealthy, unclean walking in circles, now do not disturb…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-bennington/alone-in-a-world-with-millions-of-souls-walking-in-circles-trapped-in/) [Chester Bennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-bennington/) > [“As dreams are the healing songs from the wilderness of our unconscious - So wild animals, wild plants, wild landscapes are the healing dreams…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-pendell/as-dreams-are-the-healing-songs-from-the-wilderness-of-our/) [Dale Pendell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-pendell/) > [It’s so important to create in your own voice, to hold onto what makes you unique, and have faith in your vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/it-s-so-important-to-create-in-your-own-voice-to-hold-onto-what-makes/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Sometimes we wish for the feel but we never understand that we have to give a lot to get the feel !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-reynolds/sometimes-we-wish-for-the-feel-but-we-never-understand-that-we-have/) [Robert Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-reynolds/) > [“Not that it matters, when you dream, there's no outside or in. Your mind is an unimaginable bloom. A willow catkin as big as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-shapero/not-that-it-matters-when-you-dream-there-s-no-outside-or-in-your-mind/) [Rich Shapero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-shapero/) > [“Now you’re wet. You’re so wet you’re leaking down your ass. You’re soaking my pillow. I don’t think I’m ever washing it. I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-stoker/now-you-re-wet-you-re-so-wet-you-re-leaking-down-your-ass-you-re/) [Susan Stoker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-stoker/) > [“Once we become sensitive to dreams, we discover that every dynamic in a dream is manifesting itself in some way in our practical lives”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-johnson/once-we-become-sensitive-to-dreams-we-discover-that-every-dynamic-in/) [Robert A. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-johnson/) > [“Cine a ucis stelele? Cine a surpat drumul spre viitor al celor din morminte?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ionel-teodoreanu/cine-a-ucis-stelele-cine-a-surpat-drumul-spre-viitor-al-celor-din/) [Ionel Teodoreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ionel-teodoreanu/) ## More by J.M. Barrie > [“Bringing up the rear, the place of greatest danger, comes Tiger Lily, proudly erect, a princess in her own right. She is the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-barrie/bringing-up-the-rear-the-place-of-greatest-danger-comes-tiger-lily/) [J.M. Barrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-barrie/) > [“Some disquieting confessions must be made in printing at last the play of Peter Pan; among them this, that I have no recollection of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-barrie/some-disquieting-confessions-must-be-made-in-printing-at-last-the/) [J.M. Barrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-barrie/) > [“Do you believe in fairies?...If you believe, clap your hands!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-barrie/do-you-believe-in-fairies-if-you-believe-clap-your-hands/) [J.M. Barrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-barrie/) > [“Mr. Darling had a passion for being exactly like his neighbours.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-barrie/mr-darling-had-a-passion-for-being-exactly-like-his-neighbours/) [J.M. Barrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-barrie/) > [“Peter was a superb swordsman, and parried with dazzling rapidity; ever and anon he followed up a feint with a lunge that got past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-barrie/peter-was-a-superb-swordsman-and-parried-with-dazzling-rapidity-ever/) [J.M. Barrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-barrie/) > [“Second to the right, and straight on till morning." That, Peter had told Wendy, was the way to the Neverland”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-barrie/second-to-the-right-and-straight-on-till-morning-that-peter-had-told/) [J.M. Barrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-barrie/) > [“You are too late," he cried proudly, "I have shot the Wendy. Peter will be so pleased with me." Overhead Tinker Bell shouted "Silly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-barrie/you-are-too-late-he-cried-proudly-i-have-shot-the-wendy-peter-will-be/) [J.M. Barrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-barrie/) > [“I must not let him know this, for it would make him conscious, and so break the spell that binds him and me together.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-barrie/i-must-not-let-him-know-this-for-it-would-make-him-conscious-and-so/) [J.M. Barrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-barrie/) > [“None of them knew. Perhaps it was best not to know. Their ignorance gave them one more glad hour; and as it was to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-barrie/none-of-them-knew-perhaps-it-was-best-not-to-know-their-ignorance/) [J.M. Barrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-barrie/) > [“Sir James Matthew Barrie, 1st Baronet OM (9 May 1860 – 19 June 1937), more commonly known as J. M. Barrie, was a Scottish…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-barrie/sir-james-matthew-barrie-1st-baronet-om-9-may-1860-19-june-1937-more/) [J.M. Barrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-barrie/) > [“However, as we are here we may as well stay and look on. That is all we are, lookers-on. Nobody really wants us. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-barrie/however-as-we-are-here-we-may-as-well-stay-and-look-on-that-is-all-we/) [J.M. Barrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-barrie/) > [“Peter,' she asked, trying to speak firmly, 'what are your exact feelings for me?' Those of a devoted son, Wendy.' I thought so,' she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-barrie/peter-she-asked-trying-to-speak-firmly-what-are-your-exact-feelings/) [J.M. Barrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-barrie/) > [“It was not really Saturday night, at least it may have been, for they had long lost count of the days; but always if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-barrie/it-was-not-really-saturday-night-at-least-it-may-have-been-for-they/) [J.M. Barrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-barrie/) > [“For otherwise he would have lost faith in his power to fly, and the moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-barrie/for-otherwise-he-would-have-lost-faith-in-his-power-to-fly-and-the/) [J.M. Barrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-barrie/) > [“The loveliest tinkle as of golden bells answered him. It is the fairy language. You ordinary children can never hear it, but if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-barrie/the-loveliest-tinkle-as-of-golden-bells-answered-him-it-is-the-fairy/) [J.M. Barrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-barrie/) [Explore all 92 J.M. Barrie quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-barrie/) ## More Dreams quotes > [“Cine a ucis stelele? Cine a surpat drumul spre viitor al celor din morminte?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ionel-teodoreanu/cine-a-ucis-stelele-cine-a-surpat-drumul-spre-viitor-al-celor-din/) [Ionel Teodoreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ionel-teodoreanu/) > [“Once we become sensitive to dreams, we discover that every dynamic in a dream is manifesting itself in some way in our practical lives”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-johnson/once-we-become-sensitive-to-dreams-we-discover-that-every-dynamic-in/) [Robert A. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-johnson/) > [“Now you’re wet. You’re so wet you’re leaking down your ass. You’re soaking my pillow. I don’t think I’m ever washing it. I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-stoker/now-you-re-wet-you-re-so-wet-you-re-leaking-down-your-ass-you-re/) [Susan Stoker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-stoker/) > [“Not that it matters, when you dream, there's no outside or in. Your mind is an unimaginable bloom. A willow catkin as big as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-shapero/not-that-it-matters-when-you-dream-there-s-no-outside-or-in-your-mind/) [Rich Shapero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-shapero/) > [Sometimes we wish for the feel but we never understand that we have to give a lot to get the feel !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-reynolds/sometimes-we-wish-for-the-feel-but-we-never-understand-that-we-have/) [Robert Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-reynolds/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [It’s so important to create in your own voice, to hold onto what makes you unique, and have faith in your vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/it-s-so-important-to-create-in-your-own-voice-to-hold-onto-what-makes/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [“As dreams are the healing songs from the wilderness of our unconscious - So wild animals, wild plants, wild landscapes are the healing dreams…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-pendell/as-dreams-are-the-healing-songs-from-the-wilderness-of-our/) [Dale Pendell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-pendell/) > [Alone in a world, With millions of souls Walking in circles Trapped in their dreams unhealthy, unclean walking in circles, now do not disturb…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-bennington/alone-in-a-world-with-millions-of-souls-walking-in-circles-trapped-in/) [Chester Bennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-bennington/) > [“Doing the work to transform your dreams into reality is like walking across the earth. It can be that hard, and it can take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dragos-bratasanu/doing-the-work-to-transform-your-dreams-into-reality-is-like-walking/) [Dragos Bratasanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dragos-bratasanu/) > [As far as Im concerned, I didnt dream - ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-sturgeon/as-far-as-im-concerned-i-didnt-dream-ever/) [Theodore Sturgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-sturgeon/) > [I guess, it's a father's dream for his daughter to be known around the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liza-soberano/i-guess-it-s-a-father-s-dream-for-his-daughter-to-be-known-around-the/) [Liza Soberano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liza-soberano/) > [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/) [Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/) > [Sometimes life seems like a dream, especially when I look down and see that I forgot to put on my pants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/sometimes-life-seems-like-a-dream-especially-when-i-look-down-and-see/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [“I had a dream. I had an awesome dream.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-had-a-dream-i-had-an-awesome-dream/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 40,599 Dreams quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Sometimes, though not often, he had dreams, and they were more painful than the dreams of other boys. For hours he could not be separated from these dreams, though he wailed piteously in them. They had to do, I think, with the riddle of his existence.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "J.M. 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