Caves Quote by Virginia Woolf
“If people are highly successful in their professions they lose their sense. Sight goes. They have no time to look at pictures. Sound goes. They have no time to listen to music. Speech goes. They have no time for conversation. Humanity goes. Money making becomes so important that they must work by night as well as by day. Health goes. And so competitive do they become that they will not share their work with others though they have more themselves. What then remains of a human being who has lost sight, sound, and sense of proportion? Only a cripple in a cave.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Death of the Moth, 1925
Success can blind people to basic human experiences, turning them into isolated, unhealthy beings.
In simple terms: Success can strip away humanity.
Key Takeaway
Balance work with personal life.
Themes
success
humanity
balance
health
isolation
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
philosophical
cautionary
When to use this quote
- career ambition
- artistic pursuits
- daily routine
- health management
Key Concepts
existentialism
materialism
well‑being
Questions to Reflect On
- What personal joys are you sacrificing?
- How can you protect your senses in a busy life?
A Different Perspective
Neglecting relationships can erode meaning despite achievement.
