The repose of sleep refreshes only the body. It rarely sets the soul at rest. The repose of the night does not belong to us. It is not the possession of our being. Sleep opens within us an inn for phantoms. In the morning we must sweep out the shadows. – Gaston Bachelard
Ideas are invented only as correctives to the past. Through repeated rectification of this kind one may hope to disengage an idea that is valid. – Gaston Bachelard
Two half philosophers will probably never a whole metaphysician make. – Gaston Bachelard
Poetry is one of the destinies of speech… One would say that the poetic image, in its newness, opens a future to language. – Gaston Bachelard
There is a drowsy state, between sleeping and waking, when you dream more in five minutes with your eyes half open, and yourself half conscious of everything that is passing around you, than you would in five nights with your eyes fast closed and your senses wrapt in perfect unconsciousness. – Charles Dickens