A certain amount of reverie is good, like a narcotic in discreet doses. It soothes the fever, occasionally high, of the brain at work, and produces in the mind a soft, fresh vapor that corrects the all too angular contours of pure thought, fills up the gaps and intervals here and there, binds them together, and dulls the sharp corners of ideas. But too much reverie submerges and drowns. Thought is the labor of the intellect, reverie it's pleasure. To replace thought with reverie is to confound poison with nourishment.

Summary

This quote emphasizes the importance of striking a balance between deep thinking and daydreaming. Reverie, likened to a gentle intoxicant, is seen as beneficial in moderate amounts. It offers respite from the intensity of intellectual labor, allowing the mind to relax and engender a fresh perspective. It fills the gaps in thinking, smoothens rigid thoughts, and provides pleasure. However, excessive indulgence in reverie is cautioned against as it can overwhelm and hinder productive thought. Ultimately, the quote suggests that while reverie is enjoyable, it should not be mistaken as a substitute for the essential process of focused, active thinking.

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