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I ... had what Kierkegaard called 'the sickness of…

“I ... had what Kierkegaard called 'the sickness of infinitude,' wandering from one path to another with no real recognition that I was embarked upon a search, and scarcely a clue as to what I might be after. I only knew that at the bottom of each breath there was a hollow place that needed to be…” quote by Peter Matthiessen
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“I ... had what Kierkegaard called 'the sickness of infinitude,' wandering from one path to another with no real recognition that I was embarked upon a search, and scarcely a clue as to what I might be after. I only knew that at the bottom of each breath there was a hollow place that needed to be filled.”

Peter Matthiessen

About This Quote

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

A restless search for meaning leads to a feeling of emptiness, yet each breath hints at an unmet need.

In simple terms: Wandering without purpose feels hollow.

Key Takeaway

Seek purposeful direction.

Themes

existential search longing

Mood

introspective melancholic

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • career decisions
  • spiritual quests
  • creative projects

Key Concepts

Philosophy psychology

Questions to Reflect On

  • What core desire drives your wandering?
  • How can you recognize the “hollow place” within?
A Different Perspective

Endless searching can cause fatigue.

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