The quote from Joseph Conrad's "Lord Jim" compares ideas to migrants, suggesting that they invade our thoughts and can take away our foundational beliefs. Each idea, like a vagabond, has the potential to disrupt our inner stability, requiring us to engage critically with them. This metaphor highlights the challenge of maintaining our core beliefs amidst the constant influx of new thoughts and perspectives.

Conrad's imagery implies that to lead a decent life and face death peacefully, one must hold on to certain fundamental notions. The transient nature of ideas, as depicted, suggests that they can be both enlightening and unsettling. Thus, it's essential to discern which beliefs we choose to embrace and which we allow to drift away, ensuring they align with our values and sense of self.