Let us treasure up in our soul some of those things which are permanent..., not of those which will forsake us and be destroyed, and which only tickle our senses for a little while.
Gregory Of NazianzusRead
When one illusion vanishes, another shall appear, and, still leading me forward towards an horizon that retreats as I advance, the happy prospect of futurity shall vanish only with my existence.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses the idea that illusions persist throughout life, guiding us forward, with the promise of the future disappearing only when we do.
Maria Edgeworth's quote highlights the continual nature of human aspirations and the illusions that accompany our journey through life. As one hope or ideal fades, another takes its place, propelling us toward an ever-receding goal that represents our imagined future. This cyclical process signifies that as long as we exist, we remain in pursuit of these dreams, and it is only through our existence that the potential joys and prospects dissipate.
Themes
IllusionFutureHopeExistenceDreams
In practice
Example use cases
In a graduation speech about pursuing dreams and future hopes.
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