City Quote by Andrew Holleran
““The greatest drug of all, my dear, was not one of those pills in so many colors that you took over the years, was not the opium, the hash you smoked in houses at the beach, or the speed or smack you shot up in Sutherland's apartment, no, it wasn't any of these. It was the city, darling, it was the city, the city itself. And do you see why I had to leave? As Santayana said, dear, artists are unhappy because they are not interested in happiness; they live for beauty. God, was that steaming, loathsome city beautiful!!! And why finally no human lover was possible, because I was in love with all men, with the city itself.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Dancer from the Dance by Andrew Holleran, 1978
The city itself becomes an intoxicating addiction, surpassing any drug, because it embodies beauty and endless possibility, yet it also isolates the lover from personal relationships.
In simple terms: The city is an addictive, beautiful force that isolates love.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how environments shape desire and isolation.
Themes
addiction
beauty
urban life
loneliness
artistic yearning
Mood
melancholic
introspective
poetic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- urban exploration
- personal relationships
- artistic inspiration
Key Concepts
existentialism
urbanism
romanticism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your environment fuel both inspiration and isolation?
- Can you find balance between love for a place and love for people?
A Different Perspective
The city can also stifle personal connections and lead to escapism.
