Dreams Quote by W. Somerset Maugham
““All his plans were suddenly overthrown, and the existence, so elaborately pictured, was no more than a dream which would never be realized. He was free once more. Free! He need give up none of his projects, and life still was in his hands for him to do what he liked with. He felt no exhiliration, but only dismay. His heart sank. The future stretched out before him in desolate emptiness. It was as though he had sailed for many years over a great waste of waters, with peril and privation, and at last had come upon a fair haven, but as he was about to enter, some contrary wind had arisen and drove him out again into the open sea; and because he had let his mind dwell on these meads and pleasant woods of the land, the vast deserts of the ocean filled him with anguish. He could not confront again the loneliness and the tempest.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Moon and Sixpence, 1919
A shattered vision leaves the protagonist feeling lost, empty, and unable to face solitude or future challenges.
In simple terms: Loss of dream leads to emptiness and dread.
Key Takeaway
Accept uncertainty and seek new purpose.
Themes
disillusionment
loneliness
existential crisis
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- career setback
- creative block
- personal loss
- mental health crisis
Key Concepts
nihilism
psychological turmoil
Questions to Reflect On
- What can you create to fill the void?
- How might you redefine purpose after loss?
A Different Perspective
Hope can be rebuilt through small, concrete actions.
