I can only note that the past is beautiful because one never realises an emotion at the time. It expands later, and thus we don’t have complete emotions about the present, only about the past. ― Virginia Woolf
I just came across the above quote by Woolf and thought of how appropriate it is at this time of year. The overly busy holiday season is here, a time during which we develop new traditions and follow old ones, take lots of photographs and talk about the past — all while creating new pasts that we will “expand later,” as Woolf says.
I remember reading this exact quote in Hermione Lee’s biography. I looked it up; it’s from Woolfs Diary, Volume 3. The exact date is ‘Wednesday 18 March, 1925‘. There is a footnote added, though. It says: ‘VW has written Saturday 18 March; Saturday was either 14 or 21 March, but the date rather than the day here seems more likely to be right.’
Thanks for providing the source of this quote, Kim. In regard to the date discrepancy, I wonder if it was Saturday, the 14th, and the date was misread as the 18th? I guess we’d have to see the original to find out.
Do you know where she wrote this?
Steve Posin 415. 596 8125 Sent from my iPhone
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No, I don’t know where this quote is from, Steve. But I will boot up my PC and search the Woolf CD-Rom to find out. I’ll add the source when I do.
What nice thoughts. Thanks. Molly