Skip to content

But it is curious how you can see that an idea is…

“But it is curious how you can see that an idea is absolutely true and correct and yet not believe it deeply enough to act on it. So I still act as though my feelings were the center of everything, and they still cause me to end up alone by the living-room window late at night.” quote by Lydia Davis
Download Open image
““But it is curious how you can see that an idea is absolutely true and correct and yet not believe it deeply enough to act on it. So I still act as though my feelings were the center of everything, and they still cause me to end up alone by the living-room window late at night.””

Lydia Davis

About This Quote

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

True ideas can be intellectually accepted yet lack emotional conviction, leading to isolation.

In simple terms: Knowing something isn’t enough without feeling it.

Key Takeaway

Bridge belief and feeling to act.

Themes

belief emotion loneliness

Mood

introspective melancholic

Type

philosophical literary

When to use this quote

  • personal decision making
  • creative projects
  • relationship discussions

Key Concepts

cognitive dissonance self‑reflection motivation

Questions to Reflect On

  • Why do you doubt the truth you know?
  • How can feeling guide action?
A Different Perspective

Intellectual acceptance may not translate into practical change.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Lydia Davis

Explore all 135 Lydia Davis quotes

More Feelings quotes

Browse all 21,172 Feelings quotes