---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Hope is a horrible thing, you know. I…"
description: "\"Hope is a horrible thing, you know. I don't know who decided to package hope as a virtue because it's not. It's a plague. Hope is like walking around w..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d59/ann-patchett-670_hope_hope-is-a-horrible-thing-you-know-i-don_1661169.jpg"
---

#  Hope is a horrible thing, you know. I don't know who…

![“Hope is a horrible thing, you know. I don't know who decided to package hope as a virtue because it's not. It's a plague. Hope is like walking around with a fishhook in your mouth and somebody just keeps pulling it and pulling it.” quote by Ann Patchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d59/ann-patchett-670_hope_hope-is-a-horrible-thing-you-know-i-don_1661169.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d59/ann-patchett-670_hope_hope-is-a-horrible-thing-you-know-i-don_1661169.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d59/ann-patchett-670_hope_hope-is-a-horrible-thing-you-know-i-don_1661169.jpg)

> “Hope is a horrible thing, you know. I don't know who decided to package hope as a virtue because it's not. It's a plague. Hope is like walking around with a fishhook in your mouth and somebody just keeps pulling it and pulling it.”

[Ann Patchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-patchett/)

## About This Quote

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

Hope is portrayed as a burdensome, self‑defeating force that traps rather than liberates.

**In simple terms:** Hope can feel like a painful trap.

Key Takeaway

Question the value of hope in your life.

Themes

hope burden illusion

Mood

conflicted reflective

Type

philosophical critical

When to use this quote

- personal crisis
- mental health
- motivational speeches
- relationship struggles

Key Concepts

psychology existentialism

Questions to Reflect On

- Is hope always harmful?
- When can hope be constructive?

A Different Perspective

Hope may also inspire perseverance, not just pain.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope/) [Plague](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plague/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/)

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> [“Hope is 'that virtue by which we take responsibility for the future.' Not just responsibility for our individual futures but also for that of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyanda-lynn-haupt/hope-is-that-virtue-by-which-we-take-responsibility-for-the-future/)

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> [Well, I hope you like it here, Leo. It used to be …really nice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/well-i-hope-you-like-it-here-leo-it-used-to-be-really-nice/)

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