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About this quote

What does it mean?
Borges notes a common national trait of feeling detached from reality among English people.
In plain terms
Some people feel disconnected from real life.
What can you take from it?
Acknowledge feelings of detachment in others.

Where it applies

  • cultural observation
  • psychological study
  • personal introspection

Putting it to work

  • empathy
  • cultural analysis
  • self-awareness

Questions to consider

  • Do you ever feel unreal?
  • How does culture shape reality?

Another view

Generalizing national traits can be inaccurate.

More from Jorge Luis Borges

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  3. One of the heresiarchs of Uqbar had stated that mirrors and copulation are abominable, since they both multiply the numbers of man.

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