Circumstances Quote by Jorge Luis Borges
“If I write a fantastic story, I'm not writing something willful. On the contrary, I am writing something that stands for my feelings, or for my thoughts. So that, in a sense, a fantastic story is as real and perhaps more real than a mere circumstantial story. Because after all, circumstances come and go, and symbols remain.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Reflections on Fiction, 1965
A powerful story conveys deep emotions and ideas, making it more enduring than a story tied only to fleeting circumstances.
In simple terms: Great stories express lasting truths.
Key Takeaway
Craft narratives that embody universal feelings and thoughts.
Themes
storytelling
truth
symbolism
fiction
Mood
contemplative
inspirational
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- teaching literature
- personal reflection
- creative workshops
Key Concepts
literary theory
psychology
semiotics
Questions to Reflect On
- What symbols in your life feel permanent?
- How do emotions shape narrative truth?
A Different Perspective
Stories grounded in specific events can also achieve timelessness.
