I'd rather have two good friends, than 500,000 admirers.
What if a dawn of a doom of a dream bites this universe in two, peels forever out of his grave, and sprinkles nowhere with me and you?
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote explores the fragility of dreams and existential thoughts on existence and unity.
E. E. Cummings' quote invites us to contemplate the profound and often unsettling nature of dreams and their impact on the universe. It suggests that a significant change, likened to a 'dawn' of both destruction and creation, could alter the fabric of reality, blending the personal ('me and you') with the infinite expanse of existence. This poetic reflection emphasizes the interconnectedness of life and dreams while pondering the possibilities that change may bring.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a philosophical discussion about the nature of reality and dreams, this quote would illustrate the significance of our aspirations.
More from E. E. Cummings
All quotes βI'd rather learn from one bird how to sing than to teach ten thousand stars how not to dance.
It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.
When god decided to invent everything he took one reath bigger than a circustent and everything began
The Artist is no other than he who unlearns what he has learned, in order to know himself.
Nobody else can be alive for you; nor can you be alive for anybody else.
Similar quotes
I tell you, hopeless grief is passionless; That only men incredulous of despair, half-taught in anguish, through the midnight air beat upward to god's throne in loud access of shrieking and reproach
Pity was meant to be a spur that drives joy to help misery. But it can be used the wrong way round. It can be used for a kind of blackmailing. Those who choose misery can hold joy up to ransom, by pity.
Life at court does not satisfy a man, but it keeps him from being satisfied with anything else.
It takes solitude under the stars, for us to be reminded of our eternal origin and our far destiny.
An intellectual hatred is the worst, So let her think opinions are accursed. Have I not seen the loveliest woman born Out of the mouth of Plenty's horn, Because of her opinionated mind Barter that horn and every good By quiet natures understood For an old bellows full of angry wind?
Since the 70s and the 80s you see the rise of neoliberalism. The central dogma of neoliberalism was that most people are selfish. So, we started designing our institutions around that idea, our schools, our workplaces, our democracies. The government became less and less important.