What was any art but a mould in which to imprison for a moment the shining elusive element which is life itself - life hurrying past us and running away, too strong to stop, too sweet to lose.
Willa CatherRead
She had certain thoughts which were like companions, ideas which were like older and wiser friends.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the comfort and wisdom that thoughts and ideas can bring, similar to that of companionship and friendship.
In this quote, Willa Cather reflects on the intimate relationship one can have with their thoughts. She suggests that certain thoughts can become like companions, providing solace and understanding, while ideas can take on the role of wise friends, guiding and informing us through life. This highlights the importance of the inner mental landscape and how it relates to our emotional well-being and personal growth.
Themes
ThoughtsCompanionsIdeasWisdomFriendship
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of mental health, one might use this quote to illustrate how our thoughts can comfort us during tough times.
More from Willa Cather
All quotes →That is happiness; to be dissolved into something complete and great.
Willa CatherRead
Our tree became the talking tree of the fairy tale; legends and stories nestled like birds in its branches.
Willa CatherRead
Writing ought either to be the manufacture of stories for which there is a market demand - a business as safe and commendable as making soap or breakfast foods - or it should be an art, which is always a search for something for which there is no market demand, something new and untried, where the values are intrinsic and have nothing to do with standardized values.
Willa CatherRead
The air and the earth interpenetrated in the warm gusts of spring; the soil was full of sunlight, and the sunlight full of red dust. The air one breathed was saturated with earthy smells, and the grass under foot had a reflection of the blue sky in it.
Willa CatherRead
This is reality, whether you like it or not--all those frivolities of summer, the light and shadow, the living mask of green that trembled over everything, they were lies, and this is what was underneath. This is the truth.
Willa CatherRead
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