I can only note that the past is beautiful because one never realises an emotion at the time. It expands later, and thus we don't have complete emotions about the present, only about the past.
Virginia WoolfRead
I have sometimes dreamt ... that when the Day of Judgment dawns and the great conquerors and lawyers and statesmen come to receive their rewards -- their crowns, their laurels, their names carved indelibly upon imperishable marble -- the Almighty will turn to Peter and will say, not without a certain envy when He sees us coming with our books under our arms, "Look, these need no reward. We have nothing to give them here. They have loved reading.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the intrinsic value of reading and knowledge over societal accolades and recognition.
Virginia Woolf's quote emphasizes the profound joy and fulfillment that comes from a love of reading. She suggests that, in the afterlife, those who have devoted themselves to books and knowledge possess a unique richness that stands apart from the accolades given to conquerors and leaders. The metaphor of arriving with 'books under our arms' signifies that the pursuit of knowledge is rewarding in itself, and that true value lies in the love for learning rather than in external rewards.
Themes
ReadingKnowledgeEducationValueBooks
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about lifelong learning, one could use this quote to inspire others to cherish reading.
More from Virginia Woolf
All quotes →Death is woven in with the violets,” said Louis. “Death and again death.”)
Virginia WoolfRead
He began to search among the infinite series of impressions which time had laid down, leaf upon leaf, fold upon fold softly, incessantly upon his brain; among scents, sounds; voices, harsh, hollow, sweet; and lights passing, and brooms tapping; and the wash and hush of the sea.
Virginia WoolfRead
I want to think quietly, calmly, spaciously, never to be interrupted, never to have to rise from my chair, to slip easily from one thing to another, without any sense of hostility, or obstacle. I want to sink deeper and deeper, away from the surface, with its hard separate facts.
Virginia WoolfRead
I do think all good and evil comes from words. I have to tune myself into a good temper with something musical, and I run to a book as a child to its mother.
Virginia WoolfRead
London perpetually attracts, stimulates, gives me a play and a story and a poem, without any trouble, save that of moving my legs through the streets... To walk alone through London is the greatest rest.
Virginia WoolfRead
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