--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: By an epiphany he meant a sudden…" description: "\"By an epiphany he meant a sudden spiritual manifestation, whether in the vulgarity of speech or of gesture or memorable phrase of the mind itself. He b..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b93/james-joyce-281_care_by-an-epiphany-he-meant-a-sudden-spiritu_1382504.jpg" --- # By an epiphany he meant a sudden spiritual manifestation… ![“By an epiphany he meant a sudden spiritual manifestation, whether in the vulgarity of speech or of gesture or memorable phrase of the mind itself. He believed it was for the man of letters to record these epiphanies with extreme care (saving them for later use, that is), seeing that they…” quote by James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b93/james-joyce-281_care_by-an-epiphany-he-meant-a-sudden-spiritu_1382504.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b93/james-joyce-281_care_by-an-epiphany-he-meant-a-sudden-spiritu_1382504.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b93/james-joyce-281_care_by-an-epiphany-he-meant-a-sudden-spiritu_1382504.jpg) > “By an epiphany he meant a sudden spiritual manifestation, whether in the vulgarity of speech or of gesture or memorable phrase of the mind itself. He believed it was for the man of letters to record these epiphanies with extreme care (saving them for later use, that is), seeing that they themselves are the most delicate and evanescent of moments.” [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Epiphanies are fleeting, delicate insights that writers must capture carefully for later use. **In simple terms:** Capture fleeting insights. Key Takeaway Record sudden insights promptly. Themes creativity memory artistic process Mood thoughtful inspirational Type literary educational When to use this quote - writing - journaling - brainstorming - teaching Key Concepts literature psychology ephemeral moments Questions to Reflect On - How do you preserve fleeting ideas? - What practices help you recall insights? A Different Perspective Epiphanies can be misinterpreted or forgotten. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Care](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/care/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Crafts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crafts/) [Epiphanies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/epiphanies/) [Epiphany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/epiphany/) [Extremes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/extremes/) [Gestures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gestures/) [Manifestation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manifestation/) [Memorable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memorable/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Saving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saving/) [Speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speech/) [Spiritual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Vulgarity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vulgarity/) ## Related quotes > [You are lucky if you have one or two epiphanies in your life, particularly a creative one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-carter/you-are-lucky-if-you-have-one-or-two-epiphanies-in-your-life/) [Keith Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-carter/) > [“I learned how to meditate on all of my epiphanies. Everyone isn’t meant to instantly act on their ideas. You have to find out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-s-baker/i-learned-how-to-meditate-on-all-of-my-epiphanies-everyone-isn-t/) [Robin S. Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-s-baker/) > [I'm suspicious of epiphanies, because they so rarely last.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-barbash/i-m-suspicious-of-epiphanies-because-they-so-rarely-last/) [Tom Barbash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-barbash/) > [I think I had a lot of small epiphanies along the way. What I really got out of the experience is a sense that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyo-maclear/i-think-i-had-a-lot-of-small-epiphanies-along-the-way-what-i-really/) [Kyo Maclear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyo-maclear/) > [Rather than getting more spoilt with age, as difficulties pile up, epiphanies of gratitude abound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alain-de-botton/rather-than-getting-more-spoilt-with-age-as-difficulties-pile-up/) [Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-de-botton/) > [Naturally we would prefer seven epiphanies a day and an earth not so apparently devoid of angels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-harrison/naturally-we-would-prefer-seven-epiphanies-a-day-and-an-earth-not-so/) [Jim Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-harrison/) > [Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/gratitude-bestows-reverence-allowing-us-to-encounter-everyday/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [If you have too many epiphanies, you're on some kind of drug.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-diller/if-you-have-too-many-epiphanies-you-re-on-some-kind-of-drug/) [Barry Diller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-diller/) > [In reality, genuine epiphanies are extremely rare. In contemporary adult life maturation & acquiescence to reality are gradual processes. Modern usage usually deploys epiphany…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-foster-wallace/in-reality-genuine-epiphanies-are-extremely-rare-in-contemporary/) [David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/) > [I have epiphanies all the time, because I'm always thinking. I'm a thinker. I'm always writing poetry, I'm always coming to conclusions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chrisette-michele/i-have-epiphanies-all-the-time-because-i-m-always-thinking-i-m-a/) [Chrisette Michele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chrisette-michele/) > [“There's a moment when you realise all your worst fears have come true. When the fat girl stuffing her face in the corner finally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-turner/there-s-a-moment-when-you-realise-all-your-worst-fears-have-come-true/) [Jennifer Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-turner/) > [I've never known before what it feels like to want someone - not to want to hook up with them or whatever, but to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/i-ve-never-known-before-what-it-feels-like-to-want-someone-not-to/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [Museums are custodians of epiphanies, and these epiphanies enter the central nervous system and deep recesses of the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-lois/museums-are-custodians-of-epiphanies-and-these-epiphanies-enter-the/) [George Lois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-lois/) > [People don't want information; they want epiphanies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-horn/people-don-t-want-information-they-want-epiphanies/) [Sam Horn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-horn/) > [“He did not want to play. He wanted to meet in the real world the unsubstantial image which his soul so constantly beheld. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/he-did-not-want-to-play-he-wanted-to-meet-in-the-real-world-the/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) ## More by James Joyce > [He found in the world without as actual what was in his world within as possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/he-found-in-the-world-without-as-actual-what-was-in-his-world-within/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [“Ah, poor dogsbody! Here lies poor dogsbody's body.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/ah-poor-dogsbody-here-lies-poor-dogsbody-s-body/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [Our civilization, bequeathed to us by fierce adventurers, eaters of meat and hunters, is so full of hurry and combat, so busy about many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/our-civilization-bequeathed-to-us-by-fierce-adventurers-eaters-of/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [Shaw's works make me admire the magnificent tolerance and broadmindedness of the english.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/shaw-s-works-make-me-admire-the-magnificent-tolerance-and/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [“Do you know what Ireland is?' asked Stephen with cold violence. 'Ireland is the old sow that eats her farrow.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/do-you-know-what-ireland-is-asked-stephen-with-cold-violence-ireland/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [The studious silence of the library ... Thought is the thought of thought. Tranquil brightness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/the-studious-silence-of-the-library-thought-is-the-thought-of-thought/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [“two cronies drank to the memory of their past. An abyss of fortune or of temperament sundered him from them. His mind seemed older…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/two-cronies-drank-to-the-memory-of-their-past-an-abyss-of-fortune-or/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [He passes, struck by the stare of truculent Wellington but in the convex mirror grin unstruck the bonham eyes and fatchuck cheekchops of Jollypoldy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/he-passes-struck-by-the-stare-of-truculent-wellington-but-in-the/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [“-Qui vous a mis dans cette fichue position?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/qui-vous-a-mis-dans-cette-fichue-position/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [I hear the ruin of all space, shattered glass and toppled masonry, and time one livid final flame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/i-hear-the-ruin-of-all-space-shattered-glass-and-toppled-masonry-and/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [Full many a flower is born to blush unseen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/full-many-a-flower-is-born-to-blush-unseen/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [In woman's womb word is made flesh but in the spirit of the maker all flesh that passes becomes the word that shall not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/in-woman-s-womb-word-is-made-flesh-but-in-the-spirit-of-the-maker-all/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [Though people may read more into Ulysses than I ever intended, who is to say that they are wrong: do any of us know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/though-people-may-read-more-into-ulysses-than-i-ever-intended-who-is/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [History, Stephen said, is a nightmare from which I am trying to awake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/history-stephen-said-is-a-nightmare-from-which-i-am-trying-to-awake/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [“It flows purling, widely flowing, floating foampool, flower unfurling.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/it-flows-purling-widely-flowing-floating-foampool-flower-unfurling/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) [Explore all 707 James Joyce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) ## More Care quotes > [I think, here's what I've realized from interviewing people, and I've been very open about my Catholicism and my love of Christ and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-think-here-s-what-i-ve-realized-from-interviewing-people-and-i-ve/) [Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/) > [We all know what it feels like to love someone and care about them and want to protect them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiana-madeira/we-all-know-what-it-feels-like-to-love-someone-and-care-about-them/) [Kiana Madeira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiana-madeira/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [I certainly do care for you Jeff Campbell less than you are always thinking and much more than you are ever knowing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-stein/i-certainly-do-care-for-you-jeff-campbell-less-than-you-are-always/) [Gertrude Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-stein/) > [Advances in technology will continue to reach far into every sector of our economy. Future job and economic growth in industry, defense, transportation, agriculture,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-bond/advances-in-technology-will-continue-to-reach-far-into-every-sector/) [Christopher Bond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-bond/) > [As a child, I had a lot of older gay men taking care of me. There's a trust there. I feel like little girls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-cho/as-a-child-i-had-a-lot-of-older-gay-men-taking-care-of-me-there-s-a/) [Margaret Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-cho/) > [I believe in taxation and health care that is outside the usual libertarian mandate, because I don't want people to have to suffer. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/i-believe-in-taxation-and-health-care-that-is-outside-the-usual/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [What makes you care about nature, about the planet? Is it really that you're afraid of what's going to happen if you don't take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-eisenstein/what-makes-you-care-about-nature-about-the-planet-is-it-really-that/) [Charles Eisenstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-eisenstein/) > [You feed yourself. Make sure you have all the information, whether it's aesthetic, scientific, mathematical, I don't care what it is. Then you walk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/you-feed-yourself-make-sure-you-have-all-the-information-whether-it-s/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [When you're in your twenties and starting out, the problem is that you care about being cool. 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