I wanted to be weak that I might avoid the awful passage…
““I wanted to be weak that I might avoid the awful passage of further suffering I saw laid out for me; and conscience, turned tyrant, held passion by the throat, told her tauntingly, she had yet but dipped her dainty foot in the slough, and swore that with that arm of iron he would thrust her down to unsounded depths of agony.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Avoiding pain can lead to self‑imposed weakness; confronting suffering requires courage.
In simple terms: Avoiding pain weakens you.
Key Takeaway
Face challenges directly.
Themes
suffering
strength
conscience
Mood
somber
introspective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- mental health therapy
- grief counseling
- ethical dilemmas
Key Concepts
existentialism
self‑discipline
moral conflict
Questions to Reflect On
- What fears keep you from confronting pain?
- How can you balance conscience and desire?
A Different Perspective
Pain avoidance may prevent growth.