What is most mortifying of all is that it is chance…
““What is most mortifying of all is that it is chance - simply a barbarous, lagging chance. That is what is mortifying! Five minutes, only five minutes too late! Had I come five minutes earlier, the moment would have passed away like a cloud, and it would never have entered her head again. And it would have ended by her understanding it all. But now again empty rooms, and me alone. Here the pendulum is ticking; it does not care, it has no pity... There is no one - that's the misery of it!””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker laments missed opportunity, feeling that chance and timing dictate fate, leading to isolation and regret.
In simple terms: Missing a chance causes deep regret and loneliness.
Key Takeaway
Act promptly, value timing.
Themes
regret
chance
isolation
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- relationships
- career decisions
- personal goals
Key Concepts
existentialism
fate
timing
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you prepare for fleeting opportunities?
- Can you change outcomes after a missed chance?
A Different Perspective
Chance alone cannot guarantee success; preparation matters.