I pretended indifference…even in the presence of love, in the presence of hunger. And the more deeply I felt, the less able I was to respond.
Louise GluckRead
Balm of the summer night, balm of the ordinary, imperial joy and sorrow of human existence, the dreamed as well as the lived— what could be dearer than this, given the closeness of death?
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the beauty and complexity of human existence, emphasizing the importance of both joy and sorrow.
Louise Gluck's quote captures the essence of life's dualities, portraying the simple yet profound experiences of joy and sorrow as integral to our existence. It suggests that amidst the inevitability of death, the richness of life—comprising both dreams and lived experiences—holds unparalleled significance, inviting us to cherish every moment.
Themes
LifeJoySorrowExistenceDeath
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used during a reflection session in a literature class to discuss the themes of life and existence.
More from Louise Gluck
All quotes →I caution you as I was never cautioned: You will never let go, you will never be satiated. You will be damaged and scarred, you will continue to hunger. Your body will age, you will continue to need. You will want the earth, then more of the earth-- Sublime, indifferent, it is present, it will not respond. It is encompassing, it will not minister. Meaning, it will feed you, it will ravish you. It will not keep you alive.
Louise GluckRead
The Red Poppy The great thing is not having a mind. Feelings: oh, I have those; they govern me. I have a lord in heaven called the sun, and open for him, showing him the fire of my own heart, fire like his presence. What could such glory be if not a heart? Oh my brothers and sisters, were you like me once, long ago, before you were human? Did you permit yourselves to open once, who would never open again? Because in truth I am speaking now the way you do. I speak because I am shattered.
Louise GluckRead
He takes her in his arms He wants to say I love you, nothing can hurt you But he thinks this is a lie, so he says in the end You're dead, nothing can hurt you which seems to him a more promising beginning, more true.
Louise GluckRead
Toward his critics, the artist harbors a defensive ace: knowledge that the future will erase the present.
Louise GluckRead
I preferred the simplest vocabulary.
Louise GluckRead
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I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me.
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