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F. once said: At sixteen I stopped fucking faces. I had…

“F. once said: At sixteen I stopped fucking faces. I had occasioned the remark by expressing disgust at his latest conquest, a young hunchback he had met while touring an orphanage. F. spoke to me that day as if I were truly one of the underprivileged; or perhaps he was not speaking to me at all…” quote by Leonard Cohen
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““F. once said: At sixteen I stopped fucking faces. I had occasioned the remark by expressing disgust at his latest conquest, a young hunchback he had met while touring an orphanage. F. spoke to me that day as if I were truly one of the underprivileged; or perhaps he was not speaking to me at all when he muttered: Who am I to refuse the universe?””

Leonard Cohen

About This Quote

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

Questioning moral authority and personal agency when confronting others' actions.

In simple terms: Don’t let others dictate your choices.

Key Takeaway

Seek personal truth.

Themes

morality authority self‑reflection

Mood

reflective critical

Type

philosophical lyational

When to use this quote

  • debates
  • personal conflicts
  • creative writing

Key Concepts

existentialism ethical autonomy

Questions to Reflect On

  • Who truly defines your limits?
  • When do you accept responsibility?
A Different Perspective

The quote may romanticize self‑destruction.

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