“Life is a dream; 'tis the waking that kills us.”

— Virginia Woolf

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“Life is a dream; 'tis the waking that kills us.”

(January 25 , 1882 -- March 28 , 1941)
Origin: English
Known for: Writer
Meaning
This quote from Orlando explores the idea that our imaginative and internal lives are where we truly exist, and that the harsh "waking" of reality can be a source of profound loss. It suggests that the beauty of our dreams and perceptions is a vital refuge from the often-brutal facts of physical existence and time. Today, this resonates with those seeking to protect their creative spirit and to find a balance between their inner vision and their outer responsibilities. People share this today to express the weight of existence and to validate their need for imagination and art as a means of survival. Virginia Woolf’s work, particularly her explorations of fluid identity and time, often blurred the lines between dream and reality to better capture the human experience. Embracing the "dream" of life allows for a more poetic and resilient way of being that honors the depth of the human mind.
Virginia Woolf
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Virginia Woolf

Virginia Woolf was an English writer. Their most powerful quotes on life, success and human nature are collected here for daily inspiration and reflection.

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This quote is attributed to Virginia Woolf. Virginia Woolf was an English writer. Their most powerful quotes on life, success and human nature are collected here for daily inspiration and reflection.

This quote from Orlando explores the idea that our imaginative and internal lives are where we truly exist, and that the harsh "waking" of reality can be a source of profound loss. It suggests that the beauty of our dreams and perceptions is a vital refuge from the often-brutal facts of physical existence and time. Today, this resonates with those…

The wording and attribution are documented at en.wikiquote.org. Use the original source linked on this page to verify the exact phrasing and context.

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