“What is life? A frenzy. What is life? An illusion, a shadow, a story. And the greatest good is little enough: for all life is a dream, and dreams themselves are only dreams.”
What this quote means
This quote by Cyrano de Bergerac, imbued with the Baroque spirit, meditates on the vanity of life. It describes life as a frenzy, an illusion, a dream, and even dreams are only dreams. It expresses a deep skepticism about reality and the meaning of existence, but also a certain poetry in this transience. It invites us to relativize our anxieties and savor the present moment. It resonates in moments of existential doubt, when seeking meaning.
How to apply it daily
In a stressful moment, remind yourself that life is a dream to gain perspective, then refocus on a simple, concrete action in the present.
Continue
Related quotes
Same author or same theme — keep reading.
“Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot.”Create visual
“Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently.”Create visual
“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”Create visual
“This is the best of all possible worlds.”Create visual
“Music is the pleasure the human mind experiences from counting without being aware that it is counting.”Create visual
“He who understands the universe as a whole understands it as the best of all possible worlds.”Create visual