Then came human beings, they wanted to cling but there was…
“Then came human beings, they wanted to cling but there was nothing to cling to. Thus I progressed on the surface of life, in the realm of words as it were, never in reality. All those books barely read, those friends barely loved, those cities barely visited, those women barely possessed! I went through the gestures out of boredom or absent-mindedness. Then came the human beings, they wanted to cling, but there was nothing to cling to, and that was unfortunate - for them. As for me, I forgot. I never remembered anything but myself.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The narrator reflects on superficial existence, clinging to empty experiences, and a loss of memory beyond self.
In simple terms: Life feels shallow and self‑focused.
Key Takeaway
Seek deeper connections beyond surface interactions.
Themes
existentialism
alienation
meaninglessness
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- relationships
- travel
- reading
- personal growth
Key Concepts
authenticity
memory
self‑identity
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you feel your life is more than surface appearances?
- How can you cultivate authentic experiences?
A Different Perspective
May overgeneralize human experience.