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Ambition Quote by Robert Green Ingersoll

“Shakespeare was an intellectual ocean, whose waves touched all the shores of thought; within which were all the tides and waves of destiny and will; over which swept all the storms of fate, ambition and revenge; upon which fell the gloom and darkness of despair and death and all the sunlight of…” quote by Robert Green Ingersoll
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“Shakespeare was an intellectual ocean, whose waves touched all the shores of thought; within which were all the tides and waves of destiny and will; over which swept all the storms of fate, ambition and revenge; upon which fell the gloom and darkness of despair and death and all the sunlight of content and love, and within which was the inverted sky lit with the eternal stars -- an intellectual ocean -- toward which all rivers ran, and from which now the isles and continents of thought receive their dew and rain.”

Robert Green Ingersoll

About This Quote

Source Speech: Public lecture, 1880s, United States

The quote likens the mind to a vast ocean, suggesting that thoughts, destiny, and emotions flow together, shaping human experience and creativity.

In simple terms: The mind is a deep ocean of thoughts and feelings.

Key Takeaway

Explore the depth of your own mind.

Themes

philosophy creativity human nature

Mood

reflective inspired

Type

metaphorical literary

When to use this quote

  • writing
  • artistic inspiration
  • personal reflection
  • teaching
  • therapy

Key Concepts

metaphor interconnectedness psychology

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does this metaphor change your view of creativity?
  • What parts of your mind feel like uncharted waters?
A Different Perspective

The metaphor may overgeneralize complex mental processes.

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