--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That which is neither ill nor well. That…" description: "\"“That which is neither ill nor well. That which belongs not to Heaven nor to hell, A wreath of the mist, a bubble of the stream, 'Twixt a waking though..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b5/walter-scott-775_dreams_that-which-is-neither-ill-nor-well-that_1322863.png" --- # That which is neither ill nor well. That which belongs not… ![“That which is neither ill nor well. That which belongs not to Heaven nor to hell, A wreath of the mist, a bubble of the stream, 'Twixt a waking thought and a sleeping dream; A form that men spy With the half-shut eye. In the beams of the setting sun, am I.” quote by Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b5/walter-scott-775_dreams_that-which-is-neither-ill-nor-well-that_1322863.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b5/walter-scott-775_dreams_that-which-is-neither-ill-nor-well-that_1322863.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b5/walter-scott-775_dreams_that-which-is-neither-ill-nor-well-that_1322863.png) > ““That which is neither ill nor well. That which belongs not to Heaven nor to hell, A wreath of the mist, a bubble of the stream, 'Twixt a waking thought and a sleeping dream; A form that men spy With the half-shut eye. In the beams of the setting sun, am I.”” [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The poem describes a liminal state between good and evil, heaven and hell, waking and dreaming, suggesting uncertainty and mystery. **In simple terms:** A mysterious in‑between state. Key Takeaway Embrace ambiguity and explore the unknown. Themes philosophy existential mystery Mood thoughtful enigmatic Type poetic philosophical When to use this quote - creative writing - philosophical reflection - spiritual contemplation Key Concepts Duality liminality perception Questions to Reflect On - How do you navigate uncertainty? - What does 'half‑shut eye' symbolize? A Different Perspective The concept may be too abstract for practical decisions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Setting Sun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/setting-sun/) [Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought/) [Thought Sleeping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought-sleeping-2784485/) [Twixt Waking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/twixt-waking-4414721/) [Waking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waking/) [Waking Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waking-thought-3015332/) ## Related quotes > [“There are days when you wonder why these wretched old tatters of paper run my life. It's just leftover scraps from vanished lives, right?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-cameron/there-are-days-when-you-wonder-why-these-wretched-old-tatters-of/) [Dana Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-cameron/) > [“What if I told you that you occupy my every waking thought? That I dream about you at night? And that you feature in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-l-hess/what-if-i-told-you-that-you-occupy-my-every-waking-thought-that-i/) [D.L. Hess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-l-hess/) > [“For me, and for many of us, our first waking thought of the day is "I didnt get enough sleep." The next one is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/for-me-and-for-many-of-us-our-first-waking-thought-of-the-day-is-i/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [“But since the downfall of the mythological hypothesis an interpretation of the dream has been wanting. The conditions of its origin; its relationship to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigmund-freud/but-since-the-downfall-of-the-mythological-hypothesis-an/) [Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigmund-freud/) > [And what are you doing here, Nicholas? Decided to watch me sleep?" "Yes," said Nick, and bowed is head over his sword again. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-rees-brennan/and-what-are-you-doing-here-nicholas-decided-to-watch-me-sleep-yes/) [Sarah Rees Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-rees-brennan/) > [“When I dreamed about the time you would actually sleep with me, I thought there'd be some sleeping involved.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-ryan-hyde/when-i-dreamed-about-the-time-you-would-actually-sleep-with-me-i/) [Catherine Ryan Hyde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-ryan-hyde/) > [“Just sleep here.” At my sharp look he laughs. “I’ll take the floor, and I’ll get you to your job on time. I promise.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cat-hellisen/just-sleep-here-at-my-sharp-look-he-laughs-i-ll-take-the-floor-and-i/) [Cat Hellisen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cat-hellisen/) > [Laurel could not see her face but only the back of her neck, the most vulnerable part of anybody, and she thought: Is there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eudora-welty/laurel-could-not-see-her-face-but-only-the-back-of-her-neck-the-most/) [Eudora Welty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eudora-welty/) > [“How had she ever thought sleeping with him would be a stress reliever, when he was the biggest producer of her stress?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-meier/how-had-she-ever-thought-sleeping-with-him-would-be-a-stress-reliever/) [Susan Meier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-meier/) > [“A sleeping partner?” “That’s it. I always thought that was an odd expression, Mma. I always thought of a sleeping partner as being somebody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-mccall-smith/a-sleeping-partner-that-s-it-i-always-thought-that-was-an-odd/) [Alexander McCall Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-mccall-smith/) > [Then hush thee, my darling, take rest while you may, For strife comes with manhood, and waking with day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/then-hush-thee-my-darling-take-rest-while-you-may-for-strife-comes/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking, morn of toil, nor night of waking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/sleep-the-sleep-that-knows-not-breaking-morn-of-toil-nor-night-of/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [My favourite thorn belongs to the rose with a name like a mouthful of broken teeth, Rosa sericea pteracantha. It is grown almost entirely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monty-don/my-favourite-thorn-belongs-to-the-rose-with-a-name-like-a-mouthful-of/) [Monty Don](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monty-don/) > [I was told when I grew up I could be anything I wanted: a fireman, a policeman, a doctor – even President, it seemed.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-was-told-when-i-grew-up-i-could-be-anything-i-wanted-a-fireman-a/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [Just as the setting sun turned the clouds to liquid gold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ende/just-as-the-setting-sun-turned-the-clouds-to-liquid-gold/) [Michael Ende](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ende/) ## More by Walter Scott > [“Of all the train, none escaped except Wamba, who showed upon the occasion much more courage than those who pretended to greater sense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/of-all-the-train-none-escaped-except-wamba-who-showed-upon-the/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [Where shall the lover rest, Whom the fates sever From his true maiden's breast, Parted for ever? Where, through groves deep and high, Sounds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/where-shall-the-lover-rest-whom-the-fates-sever-from-his-true-maiden/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [O! many a shaft, at random sent, Finds mark the archer little meant! And many a word, at random spoken, May soothe or wound…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/o-many-a-shaft-at-random-sent-finds-mark-the-archer-little-meant-and/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [And better had they ne'er been born, Who read to doubt, or read to scorn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/and-better-had-they-ne-er-been-born-who-read-to-doubt-or-read-to-scorn/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [Where is the coward that would not dare to fight for such a land as Scotland?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/where-is-the-coward-that-would-not-dare-to-fight-for-such-a-land-as/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [Loud o'er my head though awful thunders roll, And vivid lightnings flash from pole to pole, Yet 'tis Thy voice, my God, that bids…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/loud-o-er-my-head-though-awful-thunders-roll-and-vivid-lightnings/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [The race of humankind would perish did they cease to aid each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/the-race-of-humankind-would-perish-did-they-cease-to-aid-each-other/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [“but he had only received that sort of answer usually given by those who are more obstinate in following their own course, than strong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/but-he-had-only-received-that-sort-of-answer-usually-given-by-those/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [“Love rules the court, the camp, the grove, and men below, and the saints above, for love is heaven, and heaven is love. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/love-rules-the-court-the-camp-the-grove-and-men-below-and-the-saints/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [Fortune may raise up or abuse the ordinary mortal, but the sage and the soldier should have minds beyond her control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/fortune-may-raise-up-or-abuse-the-ordinary-mortal-but-the-sage-and/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [But woe awaits a country when She sees the tears of bearded men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/but-woe-awaits-a-country-when-she-sees-the-tears-of-bearded-men/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [In peace, Love tunes the shepherd's reed; In war, he mounts the warrior's steed; In halls, in gay attire is seen; In hamlets, dances…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/in-peace-love-tunes-the-shepherd-s-reed-in-war-he-mounts-the-warrior/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [Honour is a homicide and a bloodspiller, that gangs about making frays in the street; but Credit is a decent honest man, that sits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/honour-is-a-homicide-and-a-bloodspiller-that-gangs-about-making-frays/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [“The lovers of the chase say that the hare feels more agony during the pursuit of the greyhounds, than when she is struggling in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/the-lovers-of-the-chase-say-that-the-hare-feels-more-agony-during-the/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [I am she, O most bucolical juvenal, under whose charge are placed the milky mothers of the herd.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/i-am-she-o-most-bucolical-juvenal-under-whose-charge-are-placed-the/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) [Explore all 372 Walter Scott quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) ## More Dreams quotes > [“Cine a ucis stelele? Cine a surpat drumul spre viitor al celor din morminte?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ionel-teodoreanu/cine-a-ucis-stelele-cine-a-surpat-drumul-spre-viitor-al-celor-din/) [Ionel Teodoreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ionel-teodoreanu/) > [“Once we become sensitive to dreams, we discover that every dynamic in a dream is manifesting itself in some way in our practical lives”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-johnson/once-we-become-sensitive-to-dreams-we-discover-that-every-dynamic-in/) [Robert A. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-johnson/) > [“Now you’re wet. You’re so wet you’re leaking down your ass. You’re soaking my pillow. I don’t think I’m ever washing it. I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-stoker/now-you-re-wet-you-re-so-wet-you-re-leaking-down-your-ass-you-re/) [Susan Stoker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-stoker/) > [“Not that it matters, when you dream, there's no outside or in. Your mind is an unimaginable bloom. A willow catkin as big as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-shapero/not-that-it-matters-when-you-dream-there-s-no-outside-or-in-your-mind/) [Rich Shapero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-shapero/) > [Sometimes we wish for the feel but we never understand that we have to give a lot to get the feel !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-reynolds/sometimes-we-wish-for-the-feel-but-we-never-understand-that-we-have/) [Robert Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-reynolds/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [It’s so important to create in your own voice, to hold onto what makes you unique, and have faith in your vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/it-s-so-important-to-create-in-your-own-voice-to-hold-onto-what-makes/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [“As dreams are the healing songs from the wilderness of our unconscious - So wild animals, wild plants, wild landscapes are the healing dreams…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-pendell/as-dreams-are-the-healing-songs-from-the-wilderness-of-our/) [Dale Pendell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-pendell/) > [Alone in a world, With millions of souls Walking in circles Trapped in their dreams unhealthy, unclean walking in circles, now do not disturb…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-bennington/alone-in-a-world-with-millions-of-souls-walking-in-circles-trapped-in/) [Chester Bennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-bennington/) > [“Doing the work to transform your dreams into reality is like walking across the earth. It can be that hard, and it can take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dragos-bratasanu/doing-the-work-to-transform-your-dreams-into-reality-is-like-walking/) [Dragos Bratasanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dragos-bratasanu/) > [As far as Im concerned, I didnt dream - ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-sturgeon/as-far-as-im-concerned-i-didnt-dream-ever/) [Theodore Sturgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-sturgeon/) > [I guess, it's a father's dream for his daughter to be known around the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liza-soberano/i-guess-it-s-a-father-s-dream-for-his-daughter-to-be-known-around-the/) [Liza Soberano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liza-soberano/) > [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/) [Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/) > [Sometimes life seems like a dream, especially when I look down and see that I forgot to put on my pants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/sometimes-life-seems-like-a-dream-especially-when-i-look-down-and-see/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [“I had a dream. I had an awesome dream.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-had-a-dream-i-had-an-awesome-dream/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 40,599 Dreams quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“That which is neither ill nor well. That which belongs not to Heaven nor to hell, A wreath of the mist, a bubble of the stream, 'Twixt a waking thought and a sleeping dream; A form that men spy With the half-shut eye. 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