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He put off the faith of his childhood quite simply, like a…

“He put off the faith of his childhood quite simply, like a cloak that he no longer needed. At first life seemed strange and lonely without the belief which, though he never realized it, had been an unfailing support. He felt like a man who has leaned on a stick and finds himself forced suddenly to…” quote by W. Somerset Maugham
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““He put off the faith of his childhood quite simply, like a cloak that he no longer needed. At first life seemed strange and lonely without the belief which, though he never realized it, had been an unfailing support. He felt like a man who has leaned on a stick and finds himself forced suddenly to walk without assistance. It really seemed as though the days were colder and the nights more solitary. But he was upheld by the excitement; it seemed to make life a more thrilling adventure; and in a little while the stick which he had throw aside, the cloak which had fallen from his shoulders, seemed an intolerable burden of which he had been eased.””

W. Somerset Maugham

About This Quote

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

Abandoning childhood faith feels like losing a familiar support, making life seem colder, but new excitement can replace that loss with adventure.

In simple terms: Leaving old beliefs feels lonely, yet new thrills can replace them.

Key Takeaway

Embrace new passions when old comforts fade.

Themes

faith loss transformation adventure identity

Mood

reflective hopeful melancholic

Type

literary philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • midlife crisis
  • spiritual doubt
  • career change
  • creative pursuits

Key Concepts

existentialism psychology resilience

Questions to Reflect On

  • What new excitement can you pursue when old comforts disappear?
  • How do you balance loss and new adventure?
A Different Perspective

The new excitement may be fleeting and not fully substitute deep-rooted belief.

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