That which has always been accepted by everyone, everywhere, is almost certain to be false.
Paul ValeryRead
Long years must pass before the truths we have made for ourselves become our very flesh.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True understanding and acceptance of one's beliefs take time to integrate into our lives.
This quote suggests that the truths we create for ourselves—whether they be personal philosophies, beliefs, or values—require significant time and experience to fully become a part of us. It emphasizes the idea that real transformation and internalization of these truths do not happen instantaneously, but rather develop and evolve over the years as we live, reflect, and grow.
Themes
TruthsTimeSelf-DiscoveryIntegrationGrowth
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be shared during a personal development seminar to emphasize the importance of patience in growth.
More from Paul Valery
All quotes →Oh, hasten not this loving act, Rapture where self and not-self meet: My life has been the awaiting you, Your footfall was my own heart's beat.
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The history of thought may be summed up in these words: it is absurd by what it seeks and great by what it finds.
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The world acquires value only through its extremes and endures only through moderation; extremists make the world great, the moderates give it stability.
Paul ValeryRead
It would be impossible to "love" anyone or anything one knew completely. Love is directed towards what lies hidden in its object.
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You have certainly observed the curious fact that a given word which is perfectly clear when you hear it or use it in everyday language, and which does not give rise to any difficulty when it is engaged in the rapid movement of an ordinary sentence becomes magically embarrassing, introduces a strange resistance, frustrates any effort at definition as soon as you take it out of circulation to examine it separately and look for its meaning after taking away its instantaneous function.
Paul ValeryRead
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