Being real Quote by Tom Robbins
“A book no more contains reality than a clock contains time. A book may measure so-called reality as a clock measures so-called time; a book may create an illusion of reality as a clock creates an illusion of time; a book may be real, just as a clock is real (both more real, perhaps, than those ideas to which they allude); but let's not kid ourselves - all a clock contains is wheels and springs and all a book contains is sentences.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Book of the Dead, Tom Robbins, 1975
Books are symbolic constructs like clocks; they organize perception but are not the reality they represent.
In simple terms: Books organize ideas like clocks measure time.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the limits of representation.
Themes
perception
representation
reality
literature
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- reading
- teaching
- philosophical discussion
- creative writing
Key Concepts
symbolism
metaphor
ontology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you differentiate between representation and reality?
- What role do symbols play in shaping understanding?
A Different Perspective
Books can still influence thought despite being mere symbols.
