Able Quote by Anonymous
“I cannot bear not to know the end of a tale. I will read the most trivial things – once commenced – only out of a feverish greed to be able to swallow the ending – sweet or sour – and to be done with what I need never have embarked on. Are you in my case? Or are you a more discriminating reader? Do you lay aside the unprofitable?”
About This Quote
The speaker is obsessed with knowing how stories end, reading even trivial works just to satisfy that curiosity, and wonders if others share this compulsive reading habit.
In simple terms: Compulsive desire to know story endings drives reading of any material.
Key Takeaway
Accept uncertainty; choose stories for enjoyment, not just endings.
Themes
curiosity
obsession
reading habits
storytelling
Mood
reflective
conflicted
Type
literary
psychological
When to use this quote
- choosing books
- managing expectations
- balancing curiosity
- overcoming compulsive reading
- seeking fulfillment
Key Concepts
psychology
literary analysis
compulsion
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you read for the ending or the experience?
- How does knowing the end affect your enjoyment?
A Different Perspective
Compulsion may reduce appreciation of the journey and lead to burnout.
