Anxious Quote by A.C.H. Smith
“Sarah took a deep breath and set off along the passageway again. A clump of lichen on the gatepost opened its eyes and watched her go. The eyes, on tendrils, had an anxious look, and when she had gone some distance away the clump, swiveling its eyes toward each other, commenced to gossip among itself. Most of it disapproved of the direction she had taken. You could tell that from the way the eyes looked meaningfully into each other. Lichen knows about directions.”
About This Quote
Source Short story: "The Lichen Passage", A.C.H. Smith, 1975
A protagonist faces unknown paths while even the smallest beings seem to judge her choices, highlighting anxiety about change and the feeling of being watched.
In simple terms: Even tiny things seem to judge our choices when we go unknown paths.
Key Takeaway
Trust your direction despite unseen scrutiny.
Themes
change
anxiety
judgment
nature
Mood
nervous
reflective
Type
narrative
philosophical
When to use this quote
- starting a new job
- moving to a new city
- making a career shift
- leaving a relationship
- traveling alone
Key Concepts
perception
social projection
environmental metaphor
Questions to Reflect On
- What would happen if you ignored the imagined eyes?
- How does external judgment affect your decisions?
A Different Perspective
Even if observers are imagined, the fear of judgment can still hinder progress.
