There is no feeling, except the extremes of fear and grief, that does not find relief in music.
T. S. EliotRead
If you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that true self-awareness comes from pushing beyond one's limits and facing challenges.
T. S. Eliot's quote emphasizes the idea that personal growth and understanding one's own capabilities arise from taking risks and navigating difficult situations. When individuals venture beyond their comfort zones, they discover their strengths and limitations, ultimately gaining insight into their true potential. It encourages embracing challenges and uncertainties as essential components of self-discovery and growth.
Themes
Self-AwarenessGrowthChallengesLimitsPotential
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about taking risks in life.
More from T. S. Eliot
All quotes →Half of the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don't mean to do harm. But the harm does not interest them.
T. S. EliotRead
I am an Anglo-Catholic in religion, a classicist in literature and a royalist in politics.
T. S. EliotRead
For I have known them all already, known them all— Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons, I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.
T. S. EliotRead
In the faint moonlight, the grass is singing
T. S. EliotRead
No! I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to be; Am an attendant lord, one that will do To swell a progress, start a scene or two, Advise the prince; no doubt, an easy tool, Deferential, glad to be of use, Politic, cautious, and meticulous; Full of high sentence, but a bit obtuse; At times, indeed, almost ridiculous— Almost, at times, the Fool.
T. S. EliotRead
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Our wise old church...has discovered that if you will act as if you believed belief will be given to you; if you pray with doubt, but pray with sincerity, your doubt will be dispelled; if you will surrender yourself to the beauty of that liturgy the power of which over the human spirit has been proved by the experience of the ages, peace will descend upon you.
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In the past, it was easier to believe in my own effectiveness. If I worked hard, with good colleagues and good ideas, we could make a difference. But now, I sincerely doubt that.
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It would be a terrific innovation if you could get your mind to stretch a little further than the next wisecrack.
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Far more than any other power, imagination is what sets human beings apart from every other species on earth.
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