Children Quote by A.C.H. Smith
“Everything. I have done everything you wanted...You asked that the child be taken. I took him. You cowered before me. I was frightening...I have reordered time...I have turned the world upside down...And I have done it all for you. I am exhausted from living up to your expectations.”
About This Quote
Source Play: The Unseen Hand, 1975
A speaker confesses to fulfilling another's demands at great personal cost, feeling trapped by expectations and power dynamics.
In simple terms: I did everything for you, now I'm exhausted.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and release oppressive expectations.
Themes
power
expectations
identity
exhaustion
Mood
tired
defiant
reflective
Type
confessional
dramatic
psychological
When to use this quote
- family conflict
- authoritarian relationships
- personal boundaries
- mental health
- career pressure
Key Concepts
control
self‑sacrifice
psychological manipulation
Questions to Reflect On
- What expectations are truly yours?
- How can you set healthy limits?
A Different Perspective
The speaker may be exaggerating or misreading the other’s wishes.
![“Some years ago I was working on some forms which were vase forms with a fairly narrow base, and it was after [Hans] Coper had died that I saw an exhibition of his, a catalogue from an exhibition, and he was showing some forms which were made by cutting and joining a lot of different parts together…” quote by Warren MacKenzie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/16b/warren-mackenzie-4654_bits_some-years-ago-i-was-working-on-some-for_61245.jpg)
