Skip to content

Life Quote by Anthony Doerr

“I always thought, or imagined, that there were these invisible lines trembling in our wake, outlining our trajectories through life, throbbing with electric energy. Lines that sometimes cross one other, or follow in parallel ellipses without ever touching, or meet up for one brief moment and then…” quote by Anthony Doerr
Download Open image
““I always thought, or imagined, that there were these invisible lines trembling in our wake, outlining our trajectories through life, throbbing with electric energy. Lines that sometimes cross one other, or follow in parallel ellipses without ever touching, or meet up for one brief moment and then part. A universe of lines crisscrossing in the void.””

Anthony Doerr

About This Quote

Source Interview: The New Yorker, “The Art of Narrative,” 2022

Our lives are imagined as invisible paths of energy that intersect, diverge, and briefly connect, shaping our experiences.

In simple terms: Life is a network of unseen, intersecting paths.

Key Takeaway

Notice and honor the fleeting connections you encounter.

Themes

connection trajectory energy intersection

Mood

reflective poetic

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • personal relationships
  • career decisions
  • creative collaborations
  • travel experiences

Key Concepts

existentialism network theory metaphor

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you respond when a path seems to end?
  • What can you learn from brief encounters?
A Different Perspective

Such imagery may romanticize randomness, ignoring agency in shaping outcomes.

3.5 out of 5 (8 ratings)

More by Anthony Doerr

Explore all 336 Anthony Doerr quotes

More Life quotes

Browse all 265,426 Life quotes