Up until then it had only been himself. Up to then it had…
“Up until then it had only been himself. Up to then it had been a private wrestle between him and himself. Nobody else much entered into it. After the people came into it he was, of course, a different man. Everything had changed then and he was no longer the virgin, with the virgin's right to insist upon platonic love. Life, in time, takes every maidenhead, even if it has to dry it up; it does not matter how the owner wants to keep it. Up to then he had been the young idealist. But he could not stay there. Not after the other people entered into it.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Personal growth is reshaped by relationships; youthful ideals change when others influence us.
In simple terms: People change us, altering our ideals.
Key Takeaway
Embrace change as part of personal evolution.
Themes
identity
relationships
growth
loss of innocence
Mood
nostalgic
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- marriage
- friendship
- career transitions
- creative projects
Key Concepts
Self‑concept
interpersonal influence
Questions to Reflect On
- How have relationships reshaped your goals?
- Do you resist or welcome personal transformation?
A Different Perspective
External pressures may force unwanted changes.