There is no feeling, except the extremes of fear and grief, that does not find relief in music.
T. S. EliotRead
We ask only to be reassured About the noises in the cellar And the window that should not have been open
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects a desire for reassurance in the face of uncertainty and fear.
In this quote, T. S. Eliot highlights the human tendency to seek comfort and reassurance when confronted with the unknown or unsettling aspects of life. The 'noises in the cellar' symbolize the fears that lurk in the subconscious, while the 'window that should not have been open' represents vulnerabilities that we wish to protect ourselves from. Together, they evoke the universal struggle to find peace amidst our anxieties and uncertainties.
Themes
FearReassuranceUncertaintyAnxietyComfort
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be shared during a motivational speech about overcoming fears.
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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