Daily life Quote by Rainer Maria Rilke
““We can so easily slip back from what we have struggled to attain, abruptly, into a life we never wanted; can find that we are trapped, as in a dream, and die there, without ever waking up. This can occur. Anyone who has lifted his blood into a years-long work may find that he can't sustain it, the force of gravity is irresistible, and it falls back, worthless. For somewhere there is an ancient enmity between our daily life and the great work.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Great Work” (excerpt), 1908
Great achievements are fragile; daily life can pull us back, creating tension between ordinary routine and lofty goals.
In simple terms: Big goals are hard to keep while living everyday life.
Key Takeaway
Stay vigilant to protect your long‑term vision.
Themes
ambition
resilience
mundane vs. transcendent
Mood
motivational
reflective
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- career planning
- artistic projects
- spiritual practice
- health goals
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
creative struggle
Questions to Reflect On
- What daily habits support your great work?
- How do you handle setbacks?
A Different Perspective
Gravity of routine can overwhelm; may lead to burnout.
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![“The [Tumor Treating Fields] patients can undergo all the activities of their daily life. There's none of the tiredness. There's none of what is called the 'chemo head.'” quote by William Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/588/william-doyle-68265_activity_the-tumor-treating-fields-patients-can-u_24328.jpg)
