--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But then in dreams we are always children." description: "\"“But then in dreams we are always children.”\" — J.M. Coetzee" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/723/j-m-coetzee-2457_children_but-then-in-dreams-we-are-always-childre_592659.png" --- # But then in dreams we are always children. ![“But then in dreams we are always children.” quote by J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/723/j-m-coetzee-2457_children_but-then-in-dreams-we-are-always-childre_592659.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/723/j-m-coetzee-2457_children_but-then-in-dreams-we-are-always-childre_592659.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/723/j-m-coetzee-2457_children_but-then-in-dreams-we-are-always-childre_592659.png) > ““But then in dreams we are always children.”” [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Dreams restore childlike wonder, reminding us of innocence and possibility beyond adult constraints. **In simple terms:** Dreams let us be children again. Key Takeaway Embrace the child within. Themes psychology imagination growth Mood nostalgic hopeful Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - nighttime reflection - creative work - stress relief Key Concepts Dream analysis inner child creativity Questions to Reflect On - What childhood feelings surface in your dreams? - How can you nurture that wonder daily? A Different Perspective May idealize reality, ignoring adult responsibilities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Dreams Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams-children-1101452/) ## Related quotes > [“I talk of dreams, which are the children of an idle brain’.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/i-talk-of-dreams-which-are-the-children-of-an-idle-brain/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“In Sansa's dreams, her children looked just like the brothers she had lost. Sometimes there was even a girl who looked like Arya.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/in-sansa-s-dreams-her-children-looked-just-like-the-brothers-she-had/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [True, I talk of dreams, Which are the children of an idle brain, Begot of nothing but vain fantasy, Which is as thin of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/true-i-talk-of-dreams-which-are-the-children-of-an-idle-brain-begot-2/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [I don't believe in the art-for-art's-sake philosophy. With the raw material before me and the gifts within me, I did my best to celebrate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uwem-akpan/i-don-t-believe-in-the-art-for-art-s-sake-philosophy-with-the-raw/) [Uwem Akpan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uwem-akpan/) > [“If the future truly lies in the dreams of our children, then shouldn't those dreams be filled with light.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deon-potgieter/if-the-future-truly-lies-in-the-dreams-of-our-children-then-shouldn-t/) [Deon Potgieter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deon-potgieter/) > [True, I talk of dreams, Which are the children of an idle brain, Begot of nothing but vain fantasy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/true-i-talk-of-dreams-which-are-the-children-of-an-idle-brain-begot/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Cherish your visions and your dreams, as they are the children of your soul; the blueprints of your ultimate achievements.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/cherish-your-visions-and-your-dreams-as-they-are-the-children-of-your/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [There is no greater violence than to deny the dreams of our children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kailash-satyarthi/there-is-no-greater-violence-than-to-deny-the-dreams-of-our-children/) [Kailash Satyarthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kailash-satyarthi/) > [We had so many dreams as children. Where do they go when we grow? Are they swallowed up by the mundane things of everyday…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-hollick/we-had-so-many-dreams-as-children-where-do-they-go-when-we-grow-are/) [Helen Hollick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-hollick/) > [“Cherish your vision and your dreams as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/cherish-your-vision-and-your-dreams-as-they-are-the-children-of-your/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [While we're living the dreams we have as children fade away'. Not if you support United!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-neville/while-we-re-living-the-dreams-we-have-as-children-fade-away-not-if/) [Gary Neville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-neville/) > [Dreams are the children of idled minds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/dreams-are-the-children-of-idled-minds/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [If we nurture the dreams of children, the world will be blessed. If we destroy them, the world is doomed!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wess-stafford/if-we-nurture-the-dreams-of-children-the-world-will-be-blessed-if-we/) [Wess Stafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wess-stafford/) > [When I think of my dreams, I think about what a young trans child wants, which is just representation, and access to information.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-consani/when-i-think-of-my-dreams-i-think-about-what-a-young-trans-child/) [Alex Consani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-consani/) > [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/) ## More by J.M. Coetzee > [“I urge you: don't cut short these thought-trains of yours. Follow them through to their end. Your thoughts and your feelings. Follow them through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/i-urge-you-don-t-cut-short-these-thought-trains-of-yours-follow-them/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“I truly believe I am not afraid of death. What I shrink from, I believe, is the shame of dying as stupid and befuddled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/i-truly-believe-i-am-not-afraid-of-death-what-i-shrink-from-i-believe/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“Technically he is old enough to be her father; but then, technically one can be a father at twelve.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/technically-he-is-old-enough-to-be-her-father-but-then-technically/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“I remember asking John, after Dusklands, what new project he had on the go. His answer was vague. 'There is always something or the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/i-remember-asking-john-after-dusklands-what-new-project-he-had-on-the/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“The truth is, he tired of criticism, tired of prose measured by the yard." --Disgrace”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/the-truth-is-he-tired-of-criticism-tired-of-prose-measured-by-the/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“Since I was in flight from religion, I assumed that my classmates had to be in flight from religion too, albeit in a quieter,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/since-i-was-in-flight-from-religion-i-assumed-that-my-classmates-had/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“Lucy was frightened, frightened near to death. Her voice choked, she could not breath, her limbs went numb. "This is not happening", she said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/lucy-was-frightened-frightened-near-to-death-her-voice-choked-she/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“It occurs to me that we crush insects beneath our feet, miracles of creation too, beetles, worms, cockroaches, ants, in their various ways.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/it-occurs-to-me-that-we-crush-insects-beneath-our-feet-miracles-of/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“He sits with the pen in his hand, holding himself back from a descent into representations that have no place in the world, on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/he-sits-with-the-pen-in-his-hand-holding-himself-back-from-a-descent/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“Do you remember Vlek, who was such a good sheepdog that she and Jakob alone could drive a whole flock past you at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/do-you-remember-vlek-who-was-such-a-good-sheepdog-that-she-and-jakob/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“We are accustomed to believe that our world was created by God speaking the Word; but I ask, may it not rather be that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/we-are-accustomed-to-believe-that-our-world-was-created-by-god/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“...from the oppression of such freedom who would not welcome the liberation of confinement?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/from-the-oppression-of-such-freedom-who-would-not-welcome-the/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“If he has a last thought, if there is time for a last thought, it will simply be, So this is what a last…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/if-he-has-a-last-thought-if-there-is-time-for-a-last-thought-it-will/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“At what age , he wonders, did Origen castrate himself? Not the most graceful solution, but then ageing is not a graceful bussines.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/at-what-age-he-wonders-did-origen-castrate-himself-not-the-most/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“...he seems to be on the brink of one of his bad spells again, one of the fits of lugubrious self-pity that turn into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/he-seems-to-be-on-the-brink-of-one-of-his-bad-spells-again-one-of-the/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) [Explore all 122 J.M. Coetzee quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) ## More Children quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [Behind every successful child is an adult who believed in him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/behind-every-successful-child-is-an-adult-who-believed-in-him/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [I believe in freedom to do what you want if you aren't hurting others, but pictures of obese protesters giving their children big gulps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-defranco/i-believe-in-freedom-to-do-what-you-want-if-you-aren-t-hurting-others/) [Philip DeFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-defranco/) > [If the audience likes your work, if they like you, they don't think whether you are married or have children or not. I made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimple-kapadia/if-the-audience-likes-your-work-if-they-like-you-they-don-t-think/) [Dimple Kapadia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimple-kapadia/) > [It doesnt seem to me strange that children should like the macabre, the sensational, and the forbidden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hecht/it-doesnt-seem-to-me-strange-that-children-should-like-the-macabre/) [Anthony Hecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hecht/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [My embarrassing confession is that my father is a 'Camelot: The Musical' obsessive. So as a child, when we were going to visit relatives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-chibnall/my-embarrassing-confession-is-that-my-father-is-a-camelot-the-musical/) [Chris Chibnall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-chibnall/) > [I have many who keep me going, I am very fortunate in this sense. There is nothing like a child who knows more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/floyd-cooper/i-have-many-who-keep-me-going-i-am-very-fortunate-in-this-sense-there/) [Floyd Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/floyd-cooper/) > [My school was one of the most beautiful places a child can grow up in. 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