If I could put my hand on the north star, would it be as beautiful? The sea is lovely, but when we bathe in it, the beauty forsakes all the near water. For the imagination and senses cannot be gratified at the same time.

Summary

This quote illustrates the idea that the allure of something often lies in its unattainability or its distance. The speaker questions whether the beauty of reaching the north star would be as enchanting as the sight of it from afar. Similarly, they suggest that the sea loses its charm when one immerses themselves in it, as the immediate experience overwhelms or fades the beauty of the surrounding water. It suggests that our imagination and senses operate differently, and that the pursuit of something can sometimes be more captivating than actually attaining it.

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