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Mind Quote by Marcel Proust

“since his mind no longer entertained any lofty ideals, he had ceased to believe in (although he could not have expressly denied) their reality. He had grown also into the habit of taking refuge in trivial considerations, which allowed him to set on one side matters of fundamental importance.” quote by Marcel Proust
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““since his mind no longer entertained any lofty ideals, he had ceased to believe in (although he could not have expressly denied) their reality. He had grown also into the habit of taking refuge in trivial considerations, which allowed him to set on one side matters of fundamental importance.””

Marcel Proust

About This Quote

Source Novel: In Search of Lost Time, Volume 2, 1913

When lofty ideals fade, one retreats to trivialities, neglecting fundamental matters.

In simple terms: Losing big ideas leads to focusing on small, irrelevant things.

Key Takeaway

Guard against neglecting core values.

Themes

philosophy existentialism focus

Mood

melancholic thoughtful

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • daily decision‑making
  • personal priorities
  • career planning

Key Concepts

meaninglessness distraction

Questions to Reflect On

  • What core values are you neglecting?
  • How can you re‑engage with meaningful goals?
A Different Perspective

Trivial pursuits can become an excuse for avoidance.

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