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"However, in the common order of things, alas, 'the mind is an orchestra, where the musicians are not always in agreement; where the conductor, when there is one, is not always obeyed.'"

— Spiller, Gustav (1864-1940)

Author

Spiller, Gustav (1864-1940)

Work Title

The Mind of Man: A Text-book of Psychology

Place of Publication

London

Publisher

Swan Sonnenschein

Date

1902

Metaphor

"However, in the common order of things, alas, 'the mind is an orchestra, where the musicians are not always in agreement; where the conductor, when there is one, is not always obeyed.'"

Metaphor in Context

I once observed a good illustration of the sensory nature of excitement and emotion. Something surprised me very much. I noticed how warm I felt all over the body, almost to the verge of discomfort; and how my heart beat so violently, that it seemed almost painful. I then effectually compelled myself to think of an unrelated subject, and the vexcitement disappeared from thought. If we, therefore, abstract the warmth, the violent heart-beat, etc., it becomes absurd to speak of being moved or excited. Of course, we often say " I am so sorry," when we are entirely unmoved ; but in those cases we ought to say " I could be so sorry.". If we had never had the physical sensations which express sorrow, the words would possess no more meaning for us than the phrase " this is a pretty colour" possesses for a blind man. An ideal being, however, would have one supreme neural inclination easily controlling the others, and he would display no strong emotions except those of joy and sorrow. However, in the common order of things, alas, "the mind is an orchestra, where the musicians are not always in agreement; where the conductor, when there is one, is not always obeyed" (Paulhan, L' Activite Mentale, 1889, p. 413).
(p. 318)