Quote by Joseph Conrad
I dare say I am compelled, unconsciously compelled, now to write volume after volume, as in past years I was compelled to go to sea, voyage after voyage. Leaves must follow upon each other as leagues used to follow in the days gone by, on and on to the appointed end, which, being truth itself, is one -- one for all men and for all occupations.
Summary
In this quote, the author expresses a sense of compulsion towards writing, similar to the compulsion they once felt towards embarking on sea voyages. Just as they were compelled to journey across the seas in the past, they now feel driven to write numerous volumes. They compare the progression of their writing to the journey of leaves sequentially falling, or the leagues covered during their voyages. The ultimate purpose behind this compulsion is the pursuit of truth, which they believe is a universal quest shared by all people in all walks of life.