Oh, if I had had a friend at this moment, a friend in an attic room, dreaming by candlelight and with a violin lying ready at his hand! How I should have slipped up to him in his quiet hour, noiselessly climbing the winding stair to take him by surprise, and then with talk and music we should have held heavenly festival throughout the night!
Interpretation
The quote expresses a longing for companionship and the joy of sharing a meaningful moment with a friend.
In this quote, Hermann Hesse reflects on the deep connection and happiness that comes from spending time with a friend. It evokes the idea of a serene, intimate gathering where music and conversation intertwine, creating a beautiful experience that transcends the ordinary. The imagery of an attic room and candlelight enhances the sense of warmth and nostalgia associated with close friendships.
In practice
Sharing this quote at a gathering to celebrate friendships and the special moments shared.
I shall no longer be instructed by the Yoga Veda or the Aharva Veda, or the ascetics, or any other doctrine whatsoever. I shall learn from myself, be a pupil of myself; I shall get to know myself, the mystery of Siddhartha." He looked around as if he were seeing the world for the first time.
That is where my dearest and brightest dreams have ranged — to hear for the duration of a heartbeat the universe and the totality of life in its mysterious, innate harmony.
I, also, would like to look and smile, sit and walk like that, so free, so worthy, so restrained, so candid, so childlike and mysterious. A man only looks and walks like that when he has conquered his Self. I also will conquer my Self.
You're quite right there," he said. "I have practiced abstinence myself for years, and had my time of fasting, too, but now I find myself once more beneath the sign of Aquarius, a dark and humid constellation.
I call that man awake who, with conscious knowledge and understanding, can perceive the deep unreasoning powers in his soul, his whole innermost strength, desire and weakness, and knows how to reckon with himself.
Despair is the result of each earnest attempt to go through life with virtue, justice and understanding, and to fulfill their requirements. Children live on one side of despair, the awakened on the other side.
I think about how much depends upon a best friend. Then you wake up in the morning you swing your legs out of bed and you put your feet on the ground and you stand up. You don't scoot to the edge of the bed and look down to make sure the floor is there. The floor is always there. Until it's not.
Sweet is the memory of distant friends! Like the mellow rays of the departing sun, it falls tenderly, yet sadly, on the heart.
How lovely life can be if one takes time to be friendly.
I find friendship to be like wine, raw when new, ripened with age, the true old man's milk and restorative cordial.
There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.
The old Dodgers were something special, but of my teammates overall, there was nobody like Pee Wee Reese for me.
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