Change Quote by Marcel Proust
“We only really know what is new, what suddenly introduces to our sensibility a change of tone which strikes us, that for which habit has not yet substituted its pale fac-similes.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: In Search of Lost Time, Volume 2, 1913
The passage suggests we only truly notice new experiences when they break our habitual expectations, creating a fresh emotional tone that feels authentic.
In simple terms: We notice new things when they disrupt our habits.
Key Takeaway
Pay attention to moments that break routine.
Themes
novelty
habit
perception
emotion
change
Mood
thoughtful
introspective
curious
Type
literary
philosophical
psychological
When to use this quote
- daily life
- art appreciation
- learning
- travel
- creative work
Key Concepts
psychology
aesthetics
literature
cognitive science
Questions to Reflect On
- What habits prevent us from seeing the new?
- How can we cultivate sensitivity to subtle changes?
A Different Perspective
The quote may overstate the rarity of novelty in everyday life.
![“For her [Françoise], wealth was like a necessary condition without which virtue would lack both merit and charm. She made so little distinction between the two that she came to see their qualities as interchangeable, expecting material comfort from virtue and moral edification from wealth.” quote by Marcel Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/573/marcel-proust-114_character_for-her-fran-oise-wealth-was-like-a-nece_2687.jpg)
