[...] but just as formerly these pursuits and ideas had seemed petty and insignificant in comparison with the darkness that overshadowed all existence, so now they seemed as petty and insignificant in comparison with the brilliant sunshine in which the future was bathed. He went on with his work but now he felt that the centre of gravity of his attention had shifted, making him look at his work quite differently and with greater clarity. Formerly this work had been an escape from life: he used to feel that without it life would be too gloomy. Now he needed it so that life might not be too uniformly bright.

Summary

This quote describes a shift in perspective and mindset. Initially, the person viewed their pursuits and ideas as insignificant and unimportant because of the overwhelming darkness that surrounded their existence. However, with the arrival of a bright and promising future, their outlook changes. They continue with their work, but it is no longer an escape from life's gloom; instead, it becomes a necessary balance to prevent life from becoming too uniformly bright. This implies that the person now sees their work with greater clarity and recognizes its importance in maintaining equilibrium amidst their newfound optimism.

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