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First time Quote by Marcel Proust

“We need, between us and the fish which, if we saw it for the first time cooked and served on a table, would not appear worth the endless shifts and wiles required to catch it, the intervention, during our afternoons with the rod, of the rippling eddy to whose surface come flashing, without our…” quote by Marcel Proust
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““We need, between us and the fish which, if we saw it for the first time cooked and served on a table, would not appear worth the endless shifts and wiles required to catch it, the intervention, during our afternoons with the rod, of the rippling eddy to whose surface come flashing, without our quite knowing what we intend to do with them, the bright gleam of flesh, the hint of a form, in the fluidity of a transparent and mobile azure.””

Marcel Proust

About This Quote

Source Novel: In Search of Lost Time, Volume 1, 1913

The quote reflects on the elusive, almost mystical allure of fish, symbolizing desire and the unknowable aspects of nature that captivate us despite the effort to obtain them.

In simple terms: Fish represent a mysterious desire that draws us in.

Key Takeaway

Embrace curiosity, but recognize some pursuits remain elusive.

Themes

desire nature mystery effort beauty

Mood

contemplative poetic

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • fishing trips
  • culinary arts
  • wildlife observation
  • environmental education

Key Concepts

philosophy aesthetic experience human-nature relationship

Questions to Reflect On

  • What hidden desires drive your daily actions?
  • How does mystery shape your appreciation of nature?
A Different Perspective

The metaphor may be too abstract for practical application.

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