Causes Quote by Jorge Luis Borges
“In our dreams (writes Coleridge) images represent the sensations we think they cause; we do not feel horror because we are threatened by a sphinx; we dream of a sphinx in order to explain the horror we feel.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Book of Imaginary Beings, Jorge Luis Borges, 1957
Dream images reflect the sensations we associate with them, not the direct feeling of horror; the sphinx symbolizes the fear we interpret.
In simple terms: Dreams symbolize fears through images.
Key Takeaway
Interpret dream symbols to understand underlying anxieties.
Themes
psychology
symbolism
interpretation
Mood
mysterious
introspective
Type
analytical
literary
When to use this quote
- therapy sessions
- creative writing
- nightmare analysis
- artistic inspiration
Key Concepts
Jungian analysis
mythic archetypes
Questions to Reflect On
- What personal fears might your sphinx represent?
- How do you differentiate between symbolic and literal dream content?
A Different Perspective
Dream symbols can be ambiguous and culturally specific.
![“Well the first time I performed, my mom was like how she is now when sees me on stage – all red, smiling from ear to ear. So I don’t want to mess up, [be]cause she’s smiling. Seeing my mom happy is kind of like an overwhelming feeling.” quote by Chris Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/477/chris-brown-1887_causes_well-the-first-time-i-performed-my-mom-w_4699.jpg)