Heart and brain Quote by Robertson Davies
““You played it with great seriousness. And it is not such an uncommon game. Do you know Ibsen's poem -- To live it to do battle with trolls in the vaults of the heart and brain. To write: that is to sit in judgement over one's self." ””
About This Quote
Source Novel: "The Rebel Angels", 1981
The speaker reflects on seriousness, battle with inner trolls, and self‑judgment through literary metaphor.
In simple terms: Seriousness leads to inner battles and self‑evaluation.
Key Takeaway
Engage with inner challenges thoughtfully.
Themes
self‑reflection
literature
psychology
conflict
growth
Mood
introspective
poetic
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- therapy
- creative workshops
- personal journaling
Key Concepts
metaphor
inner dialogue
creative writing
Questions to Reflect On
- What inner “trolls” do you face?
- How does seriousness affect your creativity?
A Different Perspective
Metaphor may be opaque to some readers.
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