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Never wants to what?” Meet anybody for a drink . Oh, he…

“Never wants to what?” Meet anybody for a drink . Oh, he had to go out last night and meet this television writer for a drink downtown, in the Village and all. That’s what started it. He says the only people he ever really wants to meet for a drink somewhere are all either dead or unavailable. He…” quote by J.D. Salinger
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““Never wants to what?” Meet anybody for a drink . Oh, he had to go out last night and meet this television writer for a drink downtown, in the Village and all. That’s what started it. He says the only people he ever really wants to meet for a drink somewhere are all either dead or unavailable. He says he never even wants to have lunch with anybody, even, unless he thinks there’s a good chance it’s going to turn out to be Jesus, the person – or the Buddha, or Hui-neng, or Shankaracharya, or somebody like that. You know.””

J.D. Salinger

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 expresses a yearning for encounters with extraordinary, enlightened figures rather than ordinary socializing.

In simple terms: He prefers meeting profound, rare individuals over casual drinks.

Key Takeaway

Seek depth, not routine, in relationships.

Themes

loneliness spiritual yearning authentic connection

Mood

contemplative melancholic hopeful

Type

philosophical literary reflective

When to use this quote

  • coffee shop chats
  • intellectual gatherings
  • spiritual retreats
  • creative collaborations

Key Concepts

existentialism search for meaning idealization

Questions to Reflect On

  • What qualities make a person truly meaningful to you?
  • How can you balance yearning for depth with everyday relationships?
A Different Perspective

Such idealization can isolate and prevent genuine human connection.

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