I turned on the pillow with a little moan, and at this juncture Jeeves entered with the vital oolong. I clutched at it like a drowning man at a straw hat.
P. G. WodehouseRead
Memories are like mulligatawny soup in a cheap restaurant. It is wiser not to stir them.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Memories can be delicate and should be handled with care to avoid complications.
This quote by P. G. Wodehouse uses the metaphor of mulligatawny soup to express how memories can be complex and potentially messy. Just as stirring a poorly made soup can ruin its flavor, revisiting certain memories can lead to emotional turmoil or dissatisfaction, suggesting that some things are better left undisturbed.
Themes
MemoriesEmotionsPastReflectiveMetaphor
In practice
Example use cases
During a graduation speech to remind students of the importance of cherishing their memories.
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It was one of those cases where you approve the broad, general principle of an idea but can't help being in a bit of a twitter at the prospect of putting it into practical effect. I explained this to Jeeves, and he said much the same thing had bothered Hamlet.
P. G. WodehouseRead
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