Skip to content

Well, I'll take these pages and move on. Things are…

“Well, I'll take these pages and move on. Things are happening elsewhere. Things are always happening. It seems wherever I go there is drama. People are like lice - they get under your skin and bury themselves there. You scratch and scratch until the blood comes, but you can't get permanently…” quote by Henry Miller
Download Open image
““Well, I'll take these pages and move on. Things are happening elsewhere. Things are always happening. It seems wherever I go there is drama. People are like lice - they get under your skin and bury themselves there. You scratch and scratch until the blood comes, but you can't get permanently deloused. Everywhere I go people are making a mess of their lives. Everyone has his private tragedy. It's in the blood now - misfortune, ennui, grief, suicide. The atmosphere is saturated with disaster, frustration, futility. Scratch and scratch, until there's no skin left. However, the effect upon me is exhilarating. Instead of being discouraged or depressed, I enjoy it. I am crying for more and more disasters, for bigger calamities, grander failures. I want the whole world to be out of whack, I want every one to scratch himself to death.””

Henry Miller

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 embraces chaos and disaster, finding exhilaration in confronting life's suffering and absurdity.

In simple terms: He finds excitement in life's messes and tragedies.

Key Takeaway

Find energy in confronting hardship.

Themes

chaos existentialism despair resilience

Mood

dark intense provocative

Type

philosophical literary

When to use this quote

  • personal crisis
  • social observation
  • creative writing
  • mental health

Key Concepts

nihilism psychological endurance dark humor

Questions to Reflect On

  • What draws you to chaotic experiences?
  • Can embracing suffering lead to growth?
A Different Perspective

Obsessive focus on disaster may foster negativity.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Henry Miller

Explore all 894 Henry Miller quotes

More Whole world quotes

Browse all 3,938 Whole world quotes