"My mouth is full of decayed teeth and my soul of decayed ambitions"

This quote by James Joyce is a reflection on the state of his life. He is comparing his physical and mindset to that of decay. His mouth is full of decayed teeth, which might be a metaphor for his physical health deteriorating. His soul is full of decayed ambitions, which might be a metaphor for his dreams and objectives fading away. This could be an indication of his disillusionment with life, and his feeling of being stuck in a rut. He may feel that his life is going no place, and that he is unable to make any progress. This quote might also be translated as a sign of his depression, and his feeling of being overwhelmed by life. It might be an indication of his sensation of hopelessness and anguish. Whatever the interpretation, this quote is a powerful suggestion of the fragility of life, and how quickly our dreams and ambitions can vanish.