The psychic said I would have two children. This makes me…
““The psychic said I would have two children. This makes me shake my head. I know you are not supposed to leave a baby alone. Not even for a minute. But after a while I think, What could happen to a baby in the time it would take for me to run to the corner for a cappuccino on the go? So I do it, I run to the corner and get the cappuccino. And then I think how close the store is that is having the sale on leather gloves. Really, I think, it is only a couple of blocks. So I go to the store and buy the gloves. And it hits me--how long it has been since I have gone to a movie. A matinee! So I do that, too. I go to a movie. And when I come out of the theater it occurs to me that it has been years since I have been to Paris. Years. So I go to Paris, and come back three months later and find a skeleton in the crib.””
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 rationalizes neglectful behavior by chaining small indulgences, illustrating how minor justifications can lead to catastrophic outcomes.
In simple terms: Small excuses can snowball into disaster.
Key Takeaway
Watch for patterns of rationalizing neglect.
Themes
responsibility
self‑control
consequences
denial
Mood
cautionary
introspective
Type
ethical
psychological
When to use this quote
- parenting decisions
- time management
- impulse control
- risk assessment
Key Concepts
behavioral psychology
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- What small habit could be masking a larger risk?
- How can you interrupt a cascade of rationalizations?
A Different Perspective
The narrative exaggerates for effect; real life may not follow such a chain.