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Ships at a distance have every man's wish on board. For some they come in with the tide. For others they sail forever on the same horizon, never out of sight, never landing until the Watcher turns his eyes away in resignation, his dreams mocked to death by Time. That is the life of men. Now, women forget all those things they don't want to remember, and remember everything they don't want to forget. The dream is the truth. Then they act and do things accordingly.
Zora Neale Hurston
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote reflects on the nature of dreams and reality, emphasizing how aspirations can elude people while exploring the contrasting ways men and women perceive and manage their desires.

Zora Neale Hurston's quote delves into the complexities of human aspirations and the differing perspectives of men and women regarding their dreams. It suggests that while men often face unfulfilled desires that drift away like ships on the horizon, women tend to selectively remember and forget experiences to cope with their own realities. The juxtaposition highlights the struggles of yearning for unattainable dreams, and how in the end, these desires shape actions and perceptions of truth in life.

Themes

DreamsRealityLifePerceptionWomenMen

In practice

Example use cases

During a motivational speech about pursuing dreams, this quote can serve as a poignant reminder of the challenges and varying experiences in life.

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Someone is always at my elbow reminding me that I am the granddaughter of slaves. It fails to register depression with me.
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Don't you realize that the sea is the home of water? All water is off on a journey unless it's in the sea, and it's homesick, and bound to make its way home someday.
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Two things everybody's got tuh do fuh theyselves. They got tuh go tuh God, and they got tuh find out about livin' fuh theyselves.
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