Sometimes I feel I don't want to know anything more about…
![“Sometimes I feel I don't want to know anything more about [history] than I know already. [...] Because what's the use of learning that I am one of a long row only--finding out that there is set down in some old book somebody just like me, and to know that I shall only act her part; making me sad…” quote by Thomas Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/756/thomas-hardy-410_history_sometimes-i-feel-i-don-t-want-to-know-an_2345820.jpg)
““Sometimes I feel I don't want to know anything more about [history] than I know already. [...] Because what's the use of learning that I am one of a long row only--finding out that there is set down in some old book somebody just like me, and to know that I shall only act her part; making me sad, that's all. The best is not to remember that your nature and you past doings have been kist like thousands' and thousands', and that your coming life and doings'll be like thousands' and thousands'. [...] I shouldn't mind learning why--why the sun do shine on the just and the unjust alike, [...] but that's what books will not tell me.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker feels overwhelmed by history, seeing personal life as a tiny part of an endless chain, leading to a sense of futility and sadness.
In simple terms: History feels endless and makes personal actions seem insignificant.
Key Takeaway
Accept limited knowledge, focus on present actions.
Themes
existentialism
history
determinism
sadness
meaninglessness
Mood
melancholic
reflective
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
existential
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- literary analysis
- psychological coping
- education about history
- creative writing
Key Concepts
philosophical determinism
personal agency
historical perspective
Questions to Reflect On
- How does recognizing continuity affect personal responsibility?
- Can we find meaning despite perceived insignificance?
A Different Perspective
History may inspire fatalism, reducing motivation to act.