Childhood Quote by L.M. Montgomery
![“[...] I grew up out of that strange, dreamy childhood of mine and went into the world of reality. I met with experiences that bruised my spirit - but they never harmed my ideal world. That was always mine to retreat into at will. I learned that that world and the real world clashed hopelessly and…” quote by L.M. Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c02/l-m-montgomery-567_childhood_i-grew-up-out-of-that-strange-dreamy-chi_527875.jpg)
““[...] I grew up out of that strange, dreamy childhood of mine and went into the world of reality. I met with experiences that bruised my spirit - but they never harmed my ideal world. That was always mine to retreat into at will. I learned that that world and the real world clashed hopelessly and irreconcilably; and I learned to keep them apart so that the former might remain for me unspoiled. I learned to meet other people on their own ground since there seemed to be no meeting place on mine. I learned to hide the thoughts and dreams and fancies that had no place in the strife and clash of the market place. I found that it was useless to look for kindred souls in the multitude; one might stumble on such here and there, but as a rule it seemed to me that the majority of people lived for the things of time and sense alone and could not understand my other life. So I piped and danced to other people's piping - and held fast to my own soul as best I could.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Anne of Green Gables, 1908
The narrator separates a cherished inner imaginative world from harsh reality, keeping both distinct to preserve personal idealism.
In simple terms: Keep imagination separate from harsh reality to protect it.
Key Takeaway
Guard your inner world while engaging with reality.
Themes
imagination
reality
self‑preservation
social interaction
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- creative work
- social relationships
- career challenges
Key Concepts
dualism
psychological coping
identity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you maintain your inner ideals in daily life?
- What compromises are necessary when reality conflicts with imagination?
A Different Perspective
Balancing inner dreams with external demands can cause isolation.
![“[Reality] isn't simply the so-called world that you're in. Your reality is a much larger one that takes in all matter of identification and desires and hopes.” quote by Lynne Tillman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/580/lynne-tillman-5609_desire_reality-isn-t-simply-the-so-called-world_223218.jpg)
