Dance Quote by James Joyce
““His heart danced upon her movements like a cork upon a tide. He heard what her eyes said to him from beneath their cowl and knew that in some dim past, whether in life or revery, he had heard their tale before. He saw her urge her vanities, her fine dress and sash and long black stockings, and knew that he had yielded to them a thousand times. Yet a voice within him spoke above the noise of his dancing heart, asking him would he take her gift to which he had only to stretch out his hand.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, 1916
A man is captivated by a woman's allure yet feels an inner voice urging restraint and thoughtful choice.
In simple terms: He is drawn to her but senses a deeper call for caution.
Key Takeaway
Balance desire with inner wisdom.
Themes
love
temptation
inner conflict
self‑control
Mood
conflicted
reflective
Type
philosophical
romantic
When to use this quote
- first dates
- online dating
- marriage proposals
- career networking
Key Concepts
romanticism
psychology
self‑awareness
Questions to Reflect On
- What inner signals do you ignore when attracted?
- How can you honor both desire and intuition?
A Different Perspective
The inner voice may be suppressed by strong emotions, leading to impulsive decisions.
