There is no feeling, except the extremes of fear and grief, that does not find relief in music.
T. S. EliotRead
Men dislike being awakened from their death in life.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that many people are content to live in a state of complacency and avoid facing the deeper truths of life.
T. S. Eliot's quote speaks to the human tendency to resist change and self-awareness, describing a state where individuals may feel dead inside due to a lack of engagement with their true selves or the world around them. It reflects on how people often fear awakening from their 'death in life', preferring the security of their established routines and comforts, even if those routines may lead to an unfulfilled existence.
Themes
LifeSelf-AwarenessComplacencyChangeAwakening
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech encouraging self-reflection, you might use this quote to highlight the importance of personal growth.
More from T. S. Eliot
All quotes βHalf 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.
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I am an Anglo-Catholic in religion, a classicist in literature and a royalist in politics.
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If you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?
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For I have known them all already, known them allβ Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons, I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.
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In the faint moonlight, the grass is singing
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