This nice and subtle happiness of reading, this joy not chilled by age, this polite and unpunished vice, this selfish, serene life-long intoxication.
Logan Pearsall SmithRead
The indefatigable pursuit of an unattainable perfection -even though nothing more than the pounding of an old piano -is what alone gives a meaning to our life on this unavailing star.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The relentless chase for perfection, despite its impossibility, is what adds significance to our existence.
This quote suggests that striving for an elusive ideal of perfection, although it may seem futile, is what ultimately provides purpose to our lives. The metaphor of the 'pounding of an old piano' illustrates the idea that even repetitive or seemingly fruitless efforts contribute to the richness of the human experience, especially on a planet that may feel indifferent to our struggles.
Themes
PerfectionLifePursuitMeaningStruggle
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech discussing the importance of persistence in personal goals.
More from Logan Pearsall Smith
All quotes →Similar quotes
In a very real sense we have two minds, one that thinks and one that feels
Daniel GolemanRead
The dream remains overloaded with the badly lived passions of daytime life. Solitude in the nocturnal dream is always a hostility. It is strange. It isn't really our solitude.
Gaston BachelardRead
Our emotions Are only “incidents” In the effort to keep day and night together.
T. S. EliotRead
All of a Christian's life is one of repentance.
Martin LutherRead
If you have a problem with the third act, the real problem is in the first act.
Billy WilderRead
If nationalism makes us poor, weak, and morally insecure, how can it claim to be patriotic? I maintain that nationalists are unpatriotic.
Frans TimmermansRead