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Alas, where is there still a sea in which one could drown: thus our lament resounds – across shallow swamps.
Friedrich Nietzsche
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote reflects a sense of despair over the lack of depth in modern experiences or emotions.

Friedrich Nietzsche's quote captures the feeling of lament for a time when deep, transformative experiences were more accessible. The imagery of searching for a profound sea while only encountering shallow swamps serves as a metaphor for the emptiness and superficiality that can characterize contemporary life, suggesting a yearning for more meaningful engagement with existence.

Themes

DepthMeaningLifeExperiencesDespair

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about the lack of substantial connections in today's society.

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