“They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.”
- January 19, 1809 – October 7, 1849
- American
- Novelist, poet, critic
- A pioneer of Gothic and detective novels, he wrote works such as “The Black Cat,” “The Fall of the House of Usher,” and “The Murders in the Rue Morgue.”
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Quote
“They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.”
Explanation
In this quote, Edgar Allan Poe draws a distinction between two types of dreaming: the dreamer by night, whose dreams are often shaped by the unconscious mind and external influences, and the dreamer by day, whose dreams are more connected to conscious aspirations, imagination, and creative thought. Poe suggests that those who engage in daydreaming—who allow their minds to wander during the day—are more aware and attuned to ideas, possibilities, and insights that may be missed by those who dream only while they sleep. Daydreaming, in Poe’s view, is a form of active reflection, where the mind is free to explore and create, bringing forth new ideas that are often hidden from those caught in the more passive state of nighttime dreaming.
Poe, a writer whose works often explore the realms of imagination, fantasy, and psychological depth, had a deep interest in the creative potential of the human mind. The idea that daydreamers have access to a greater awareness of things not immediately visible to others reflects his belief in the power of the imagination and the creative spirit. Daydreaming allows for a kind of mental freedom, where the boundaries of reality can be bent, and the mind can discover new perspectives and insights. In this way, daydreamers are not limited by the passive nature of nighttime dreams but are actively engaged with their own inner world and the world around them.
In modern contexts, this quote speaks to the value of creativity, reflection, and imagination in our daily lives. Daydreaming is often dismissed as a waste of time, but in fact, it plays a crucial role in problem-solving, innovation, and personal insight. Whether in art, writing, or entrepreneurship, those who dream by day often have a richer sense of what is possible because they are not constrained by conventional thinking or the boundaries of reality. Poe’s words remind us that there is great value in allowing our minds to wander freely, to explore the unconscious and the imaginative spaces that we might otherwise overlook in the rush of daily life.
