Clock Quote by Thomas Mann
““The little hand on time’s clock trips away as though measuring seconds; but God knows how much time it is covering when it whisks round heedless of the divisions it passes over! So much is certain, that we have been up here for years. Our brains reel, surely this is an evil dream, though dreamed with nor hashish nor opium; a censor of morals would rebuke us for it.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Magic Mountain, Thomas Mann, 1924
The quote reflects on the subjective experience of time, suggesting that divine perception differs from human measurement, and that life may feel like a surreal, morally ambiguous dream.
In simple terms: Time feels different to God than to us, and life can seem like a strange dream.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the limits of human time perception.
Themes
time
perception
divine
existence
dreams
Mood
reflective
philosophical
Type
literary
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- contemplation
- philosophical reflection
- spiritual questioning
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
subjectivity
metaphysics
morality
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your perception of time change in different contexts?
- What moral implications arise from viewing life as a dream?
A Different Perspective
Human attempts to quantify time may miss deeper meaning.
