--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But my mind clung to my wife's image…" description: "\"But my mind clung to my wife's image, imagining it with an uncanny acuteness. I heard her answering me, saw her smile, her frank and encouraging look. ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d7/viktor-e-frankl-668_frank_but-my-mind-clung-to-my-wife-s-image-ima_591021.jpg" --- # But my mind clung to my wife's image, imagining it with an… ![“But my mind clung to my wife's image, imagining it with an uncanny acuteness. I heard her answering me, saw her smile, her frank and encouraging look. Real or not, her look then was more luminous than the sun which was beginning to rise.” quote by Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d7/viktor-e-frankl-668_frank_but-my-mind-clung-to-my-wife-s-image-ima_591021.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d7/viktor-e-frankl-668_frank_but-my-mind-clung-to-my-wife-s-image-ima_591021.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d7/viktor-e-frankl-668_frank_but-my-mind-clung-to-my-wife-s-image-ima_591021.jpg) > “But my mind clung to my wife's image, imagining it with an uncanny acuteness. I heard her answering me, saw her smile, her frank and encouraging look. Real or not, her look then was more luminous than the sun which was beginning to rise.” [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Recalls an intense, vivid mental image of his wife that provided comfort and hope during suffering. **In simple terms:** A mental image of his wife gave him strength. Key Takeaway Hold onto loving memories. Themes love memory hope psychology resilience spirituality Mood reflective comforting introspective Type philosophical psychological inspirational When to use this quote - Grief counseling - stress management - loneliness - creative visualization Key Concepts Existentialism psychotherapy imagery cognitive coping Questions to Reflect On - How can imagined support aid coping? - When might reliance on memory hinder healing? A Different Perspective May idealize the past and ignore present realities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/frank/) [Heard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heard/) [Her smile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/her-smile/) [Image Imagining](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/image-imagining-4836301/) [Imagining](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagining/) [Looks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looks/) [Luminous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/luminous/) [Mans search for meaning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mans-search-for-meaning/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Mind Clung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind-clung-4836302/) [My wife](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-wife/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Saws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saws/) [Search for meaning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/search-for-meaning/) [Sun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sun/) [Uncanny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uncanny/) [Uncanny Acuteness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uncanny-acuteness-4836303/) [Wife](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wife/) [Wife Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wife-image-4836300/) ## Related quotes > [If architects want to strengthen a decrepit arch, they increase the load which is laid upon it, for thereby the parts are joined more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/if-architects-want-to-strengthen-a-decrepit-arch-they-increase-the/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [Once an individual's search for meaning is successful, it not only renders him happy but also gives him the capability to cope with suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/once-an-individual-s-search-for-meaning-is-successful-it-not-only/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [And I quoted from Nietzsche: That which does not kill me, makes me stronger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/and-i-quoted-from-nietzsche-that-which-does-not-kill-me-makes-me/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [These tasks, and therefore the meaning of life, differ from man to man, and from moment to moment. Thus it is impossible to define…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/these-tasks-and-therefore-the-meaning-of-life-differ-from-man-to-man/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [There are two races of men in this world but only these two: the race of the decent man and the race of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/there-are-two-races-of-men-in-this-world-but-only-these-two-the-race/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [When a man finds that it is his destiny to suffer, he will have to accept his suffering as his task. . . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/when-a-man-finds-that-it-is-his-destiny-to-suffer-he-will-have-to/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [We needed to stop asking about the meaning of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/we-needed-to-stop-asking-about-the-meaning-of-life/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [We had to learn...that it did not really matter what we expected from life but rather what life expected from us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/we-had-to-learn-that-it-did-not-really-matter-what-we-expected-from/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [Man's search for meaning is the primary motivation in his life and not a "secondary rationalization" of instinctual drives. This meaning is unique and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/man-s-search-for-meaning-is-the-primary-motivation-in-his-life-and/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [No one can become fully aware of the very essence of another human being until he loves him. By his love he is enabled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/no-one-can-become-fully-aware-of-the-very-essence-of-another-human/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [I understood how a man who has nothing left in this world may still know bliss, be it only for a brief moment, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/i-understood-how-a-man-who-has-nothing-left-in-this-world-may-still/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [What was really needed was a fundamental change in our attitude toward life. We had to learn ourselves and, furthermore, we had to teach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/what-was-really-needed-was-a-fundamental-change-in-our-attitude/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [What will it matter to him if he notices that he is growing old? Has he any reason to envy the young people whom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/what-will-it-matter-to-him-if-he-notices-that-he-is-growing-old-has/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [Love is the ultimate and the highest goal to which man can aspire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/love-is-the-ultimate-and-the-highest-goal-to-which-man-can-aspire/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [We can discover this meaning in life in three different ways: 1. by doing a deed; 2. by experiencing a value; and 3. by suffering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/we-can-discover-this-meaning-in-life-in-three-different-ways-1-by/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) ## More by Viktor E. Frankl > [For the meaning of life differs from man to man, from day to day and from hour to hour. What matters, therefore, is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/for-the-meaning-of-life-differs-from-man-to-man-from-day-to-day-and/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [“In the past, nothing is irretrievably lost, but rather, on the contrary, everything is irrevocably stored and treasured. To be sure, people tend to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/in-the-past-nothing-is-irretrievably-lost-but-rather-on-the-contrary/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [When a man finds that it is his destiny to suffer... his unique opportunity lies in the way he bears his burden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/when-a-man-finds-that-it-is-his-destiny-to-suffer-his-unique/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [“A positive attitude enables a person to endure suffering and disappointment as well as enhance enjoyment and satisfaction. A negative attitude intensifies pain and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/a-positive-attitude-enables-a-person-to-endure-suffering-and/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [“our sacrifice did have a meaning.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/our-sacrifice-did-have-a-meaning/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [Man's last freedom is his freedom to choose how he will react in any given situation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/man-s-last-freedom-is-his-freedom-to-choose-how-he-will-react-in-any/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [The more one forgets himself - by giving himself to a cause to serve or another person to love - the more human he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/the-more-one-forgets-himself-by-giving-himself-to-a-cause-to-serve-or/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [“There is nothing in the world, I venture to say, that would so effectively help one to survive even the worst conditions as the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/there-is-nothing-in-the-world-i-venture-to-say-that-would-so/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [Man's search for meaning is the chief motivation of his life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/man-s-search-for-meaning-is-the-chief-motivation-of-his-life/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [In a last violent protest against the hopelessness of imminent death, I sensed my spirit piercing through the enveloping gloom. I felt it transcend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/in-a-last-violent-protest-against-the-hopelessness-of-imminent-death/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [“But happiness cannot be pursued; it must ensue.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/but-happiness-cannot-be-pursued-it-must-ensue/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [Being tolerant does not mean that I share another one's belief. But it does mean that I acknowledge another one's right to believe, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/being-tolerant-does-not-mean-that-i-share-another-one-s-belief-but-it/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [“I think it was Lessing who once said, 'There are things which must cause you to lose your reason or you have none to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/i-think-it-was-lessing-who-once-said-there-are-things-which-must/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [“I believe that my handicap will only enhance my ability to help others. I know that without the suffering, the growth that I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/i-believe-that-my-handicap-will-only-enhance-my-ability-to-help/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [“He main retain his human dignity even in a concentration camp. Dostoevsky said once, 'There is only one thing that I dread: not to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/he-main-retain-his-human-dignity-even-in-a-concentration-camp/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) [Explore all 381 Viktor E. Frankl quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) ## More Frank quotes > [“Despite everything, I believe people are really good at heart.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-frank/despite-everything-i-believe-people-are-really-good-at-heart/) [Anne Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-frank/) > [Being frank or straightforward doesn't only tells the truth, it also states the fact that you just lost your temper of holding back from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince/being-frank-or-straightforward-doesn-t-only-tells-the-truth-it-also/) [Vince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince/) > [ I'm a big fan of \[Frank\] Sinatra, he was the best at what he did. The last thing I do is model my career… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-connick-jr/i-m-a-big-fan-of-frank-sinatra-he-was-the-best-at-what-he-did-the/) [Harry Connick, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-connick-jr/) > [We now have power under the Dodd-Frank legislation to break up banks. And I've said I will use that power if they pose a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/we-now-have-power-under-the-dodd-frank-legislation-to-break-up-banks/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [I'm a fan of Hugh Kenner, Richard Ellman, Lionel Trilling and Frank Kermode. All these people have taught me how to read - but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-kitcher/i-m-a-fan-of-hugh-kenner-richard-ellman-lionel-trilling-and-frank/) [Philip Kitcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-kitcher/) > [When one is frank, one's very presence is a compliment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-moore/when-one-is-frank-one-s-very-presence-is-a-compliment/) [Marianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-moore/) > [There has been a rather unpleasant sensibility apparent in Frank Miller's work for quite a long time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-moore/there-has-been-a-rather-unpleasant-sensibility-apparent-in-frank/) [Alan Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-moore/) > [ \[Hazel\] hissed in frustration. 'I hate eidolons. I thought Piper made them promise to stay away.' 'Oh...' Frank said, like he'd just had his… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/hazel-hissed-in-frustration-i-hate-eidolons-i-thought-piper-made-them/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [I think Frank Capra was a much craftier filmmaker, a wonderful filmmaker. He had enormous technique, and he knew how to manipulate the public…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/i-think-frank-capra-was-a-much-craftier-filmmaker-a-wonderful/) [Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/) > [I think it is not only important that people go to the Anne Frank House to see the secret annex, but also that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-frank/i-think-it-is-not-only-important-that-people-go-to-the-anne-frank/) [Otto Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otto-frank/) > [You must study to be frank with the world: frankness is the child of honesty and courage. Say just what you mean to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/you-must-study-to-be-frank-with-the-world-frankness-is-the-child-of/) [Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/) > [Frank and explicit - that is the right line to take when you wish to conceal your own mind and confuse the minds of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-disraeli/frank-and-explicit-that-is-the-right-line-to-take-when-you-wish-to/) [Benjamin Disraeli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-disraeli/) > [There was a lot of camaraderie among the bands. I remember a lot of times when I'd be driving up Laurel Canyon and pass…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/june-millington/there-was-a-lot-of-camaraderie-among-the-bands-i-remember-a-lot-of/) [June Millington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/june-millington/) > [When you get old the worst thing is you lose so many friends. Burt Lancaster, Frank Sinatra, John Wayne. People who I loved to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirk-douglas/when-you-get-old-the-worst-thing-is-you-lose-so-many-friends-burt/) [Kirk Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirk-douglas/) > [The SEC got more than 100 rules to write under Dodd-Frank, the lion's share of all the agencies. And we've moved, I think, with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-schapiro/the-sec-got-more-than-100-rules-to-write-under-dodd-frank-the-lion-s/) [Mary Schapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-schapiro/) [Browse all 938 Frank quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/frank/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "But my mind clung to my wife's image, imagining it with an uncanny acuteness. I heard her answering me, saw her smile, her frank and encouraging look. Real or not, her look then was more luminous than the sun which was beginning to rise.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Viktor E. 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