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Some flies and gnats were sitting on my paper and this…

“Some flies and gnats were sitting on my paper and this disturbed me; I breathed on them to make them go, then blew harder and harder, but it did no good. The tiny beasts lowered their behinds, made themselves heavy, and struggled against the wind until their thin legs were bent. They were…” quote by Knut Hamsun
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““Some flies and gnats were sitting on my paper and this disturbed me; I breathed on them to make them go, then blew harder and harder, but it did no good. The tiny beasts lowered their behinds, made themselves heavy, and struggled against the wind until their thin legs were bent. They were absolutely not going to leave the place. They would always find something to get hold of, bracing their heels against a comma or an unevenness in the paper, and they intended to stay exactly where they were until they themselves decided it was the right time to go.””

Knut Hamsun

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Even tiny obstacles cling stubbornly; they resist removal until the moment is right.

In simple terms: Small problems persist until you choose to act.

Key Takeaway

Address obstacles when ready.

Themes

perseverance obstacle patience

Mood

thoughtful determined

Type

literary inspirational

When to use this quote

  • Writing drafts
  • cleaning a workspace
  • solving minor bugs

Key Concepts

Stubbornness timing inner resolve

Questions to Reflect On

  • When will you finally move past this?
  • What small thing is you clinging to?
A Different Perspective

Ignoring small issues can cause larger problems later.

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