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About this quote

What does it mean?
Reality and perception are intertwined; abstract concepts become real through human thought.
In plain terms
Things are seen or unseen, but thought makes ideas real.
What can you take from it?
Thought gives substance to abstract ideas.

Where it applies

  • Philosophical debate
  • interpreting art
  • analyzing politics

Putting it to work

  • Recognizing how thought shapes reality

Questions to consider

  • How does thinking change reality?
  • Is anything truly invisible?

Another view

Some things remain invisible regardless of thought.

More from Wallace Stevens

  1. My house has changed a little in the sun. The fragrance of the magnolias come close, False flick, false form, but falseness close to kin.

    Permalink to quote #107
  2. Perhaps The truth depends on a walk around a lake, A composing as the body tires, a stop To see hepatica, a stop to watch A definition growing certain and A wa…

    Permalink to quote #109
  3. Without a name and nothing to be desired, If only imagined but imagined well.

    Permalink to quote #106

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