Dreams Quote by Richard Herley
““On the mainland he had always lived in the future, always looking forward to the completion of the project in hand. When he passed his exams, got the new contract, married Louise, paid off the mortgage: when, in turn, each of these dreams was realized, then, and only then, would he be happy. All were ends, to be reached by any means expedient or possible. He saw now that there were no such things as ends, only means: for ends were phantoms that melted away when approached, only to reform into other ends further off.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Unknown, possibly a novel or short story, date unspecified
The protagonist realizes that chasing ever‑shifting goals never brings lasting happiness; only the process matters, not the imagined end points.
In simple terms: Goals are endless, happiness lies in the journey.
Key Takeaway
Focus on present actions, not future fantasies.
Themes
philosophy
goal‑setting
contentment
illusion
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- career planning
- relationship building
- financial decisions
- personal growth
Key Concepts
impermanence
means‑vs‑ends
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What current " do you pursue for its own sake?
- How might letting go of fixed outcomes change your daily life?
A Different Perspective
Ends are never truly attainable, so fixation can cause perpetual dissatisfaction.
