Another man Quote by A.S. Byatt
![“There were times when [he] allowed himself to see clearly that he would end his working life, that was to say, his conscious thinking life, in this task, that all his thoughts would have been another man's thoughts, all his work another man's work. And then he thought it did not perhaps matter so…” quote by A.S. Byatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/085/a-s-byatt-5275_another-man_there-were-times-when-he-allowed-himself_2789010.jpg)
““There were times when [he] allowed himself to see clearly that he would end his working life, that was to say, his conscious thinking life, in this task, that all his thoughts would have been another man's thoughts, all his work another man's work. And then he thought it did not perhaps matter so greatly... It was a pleasant subordination, if he was a subordinate.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Virgin in the Garden, 1978
A character reflects on surrendering his thoughts and work to another, finding comfort in subordination and collective identity.
In simple terms: Finding comfort in sharing thoughts.
Key Takeaway
Embrace collaborative identity.
Themes
philosophy
identity
subordination
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- creative collaboration
- academic mentorship
- team projects
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
self‑concept
collective consciousness
Questions to Reflect On
- When is subordination beneficial?
- How does shared thought affect creativity?
A Different Perspective
Loss of individuality can be unsettling.
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
