“I knew very well that this hope was chimerical. I was like a pauper who mingles fewer tears with his dry bread if he tells himself that at any moment a stranger will bequeath to him his fortune. We must all, in order to make reality more tolerable, keep alive in us a few little follies.”
Quote Analysis
In this quote by Marcel Proust, the author reflects on the concept of hope and its role in making reality more bearable. Proust uses the analogy of a pauper imagining a stranger bequeathing him a fortune to illustrate the idea of holding onto unrealistic hopes in order to cope with the hardships of life. This quote emphasizes the importance of maintaining a sense of optimism and holding onto "little follies" in order to navigate through the difficulties and disappointments of reality.
In today's fast-paced and unpredictable world, Marcel Proust's words still hold true.
In our modern society, where uncertainty and challenges are often present, it is important to hold onto hope and keep alive a few little follies. Proust's analogy of a pauper dreaming of inheriting a fortune reminds us that maintaining optimism and allowing ourselves to dream can make reality more bearable. This quote serves as a reminder to not lose sight of the possibility of better things to come, even in the face of adversity.
Proust's Reflection on Chimerical Hope
"I knew very well that this hope was chimerical. I was like a pauper who mingles fewer tears with his dry bread if he tells himself that at any moment a stranger will bequeath to him his fortune. We must all, in order to make reality more tolerable, keep alive in us a few little follies." - Marcel Proust
Reflection Questions:
Reflecting on this quote by Marcel Proust, consider the following questions:
What are some "chimerical hopes" or "little follies" that you hold onto in order to make reality more tolerable?
Do you find comfort or solace in these unrealistic hopes, or do they ultimately bring more disappointment?
How do these little follies impact your day-to-day life and your overall well-being?
In what ways can embracing these small illusions be both detrimental and beneficial to one's mental health and outlook on life?
Similar quotes
“We are all of us obliged, if we are to make reality endurable, to nurse a few little follies in ourselves.”
“Very few people believe in the devil these days, which suits the devil very well. He is always helping to circulate the news of his own death. The essence of God is existence, and He defines Himself as: 'I am Who am.' The essence of the devil is the lie, and he defines himself as: 'I am who am not.' Satan has very little trouble with those who do not believe in him; they are already on his side.”
“At the moment, he can tell he's being watched by a stranger, however, so he picks his feet up and tosses his mane just a little more than usual. I allow him his show. There are worse flaws than vanity in a horse.”
“Let us not ask for miracles, let us not ask for concern with what is good for the country of him who comes as a stranger to make his fortune and leave afterwards.”
“Despair, or folly?' said Gandalf. 'It is not despair, for despair is only for those who see the end beyond all doubt. We do not. It is wisdom to recognize necessity, when all other courses have been weighed, though as folly it may appear to those who cling to false hope. Well, let folly be our cloak, a veil before the eyes of the Enemy! For he is very wise, and weighs all things to a nicety in the scales of his malice. But the only measure that he knows is desire, desire for power; and so he judges all hearts. Into his heart the thought will not enter that any will refuse it, that having the Ring we may seek to destroy it. If we seek this, we shall put him out of reckoning.' 'At least for a while,' said Elrond. 'The road must be trod, but it will be very hard. And neither strenght nor wisdom will carry us far upon it. This quest may be attempted by the weak with as much hope as the strong. Yet such is oft the course of deeds that move the wheels of the world: small hands do them because they must, while the eyes of the great are elsewhere.”