--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I could see jabs from his flashlight…" description: "\"“I could see jabs from his flashlight cutting into the woods on either side of me. He was back there, somewhere. The light beam was like a knife and I ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1db/augusten-burroughs-603_flashlight_i-could-see-jabs-from-his-flashlight-cut_278544.png" --- # I could see jabs from his flashlight cutting into the… ![“I could see jabs from his flashlight cutting into the woods on either side of me. He was back there, somewhere. The light beam was like a knife and I didn't want it on my back.” quote by Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1db/augusten-burroughs-603_flashlight_i-could-see-jabs-from-his-flashlight-cut_278544.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1db/augusten-burroughs-603_flashlight_i-could-see-jabs-from-his-flashlight-cut_278544.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1db/augusten-burroughs-603_flashlight_i-could-see-jabs-from-his-flashlight-cut_278544.png) > ““I could see jabs from his flashlight cutting into the woods on either side of me. He was back there, somewhere. The light beam was like a knife and I didn't want it on my back.”” [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A tense moment where a flashlight’s beam feels threatening, symbolizing vulnerability and fear of being exposed. **In simple terms:** Feeling threatened by light in the dark. Key Takeaway Stay aware of surroundings and protect your back. Themes fear vulnerability perception Mood anxious tense Type narrative reflective When to use this quote - night hikes - walking alone - camping - self‑defense - survival training Key Concepts psychology danger light as metaphor Questions to Reflect On - How does fear change your perception of safety? - What can you do to reduce anxiety in dark environments? A Different Perspective The threat may be imagined, amplifying anxiety. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Flashlight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flashlight/) [Flashlight Cutting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flashlight-cutting-2706401/) [Jabs Flashlight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jabs-flashlight-2706400/) [Light Beam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light-beam-2088790/) [Like Knife](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-knife-439878/) ## Related quotes > [“By definition, a laser always moves at the speed of light. If you can see the beam, it’s already too late. 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It can be used to cut bread to share with your neighbor or stab you in the back.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadiqua-hamdan/power-is-like-a-knife-it-can-be-used-to-cut-bread-to-share-with-your/) [Sadiqua Hamdan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadiqua-hamdan/) ## More by Augusten Burroughs > [There is nothing about myself that I wouldn't reveal or write about. I don't care how horrendous or ridiculous I may appear in person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/there-is-nothing-about-myself-that-i-wouldn-t-reveal-or-write-about-i/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [“We were alone together, we were an us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/we-were-alone-together-we-were-an-us/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [Like every child, I adored her. Until I formed a brain and got to know her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/like-every-child-i-adored-her-until-i-formed-a-brain-and-got-to-know/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [“You must hang onto the scraps of the bucking moment as if your sanity and life depended on it - because actually they do.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/you-must-hang-onto-the-scraps-of-the-bucking-moment-as-if-your-sanity/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [Real optimism is not the pep talk you give yourself. It is earned through the labor involved in emotional housekeeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/real-optimism-is-not-the-pep-talk-you-give-yourself-it-is-earned/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [If you hate your life, you haven't' seen enough of it. 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On Roid Rage days, it made me want to stomp down to the highway, pull drivers out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/on-typical-days-dust-is-simply-irritating-on-roid-rage-days-it-made/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [I'm like the guy who prepares your taxes or a dentist. I'm very conservative and boring in a lot of ways.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/i-m-like-the-guy-who-prepares-your-taxes-or-a-dentist-i-m-very/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [“Nothing surprises me now," I tell him. I am stoic. I am Joan of Arc, with liver damage and an unused penis.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/nothing-surprises-me-now-i-tell-him-i-am-stoic-i-am-joan-of-arc-with/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [“It's not that I was an outright nitwit of a child.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/it-s-not-that-i-was-an-outright-nitwit-of-a-child/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [What I really want is to sit next to someone under an L.L. bean blanket on the beach in the fall and drink coffee…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/what-i-really-want-is-to-sit-next-to-someone-under-an-l-l-bean/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [“My worth depended on where exactly the decimal was placed among the zeroes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/my-worth-depended-on-where-exactly-the-decimal-was-placed-among-the/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [“Bookman isn't a stable man. He has a lot of problems that run very, very deep." But he was really good at giving head.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/bookman-isn-t-a-stable-man-he-has-a-lot-of-problems-that-run-very/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) [Explore all 448 Augusten Burroughs quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) ## More Flashlight quotes > [“If ever there was a time to carry a flashlight, it would definitely be at night.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darynda-jones/if-ever-there-was-a-time-to-carry-a-flashlight-it-would-definitely-be/) [Darynda Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darynda-jones/) > [My phone is an alarm clock, a flashlight, a music player and a digital camera.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-phone-is-an-alarm-clock-a-flashlight-a-music-player-and-a-digital/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Ego is to the true self what a flashlight is to a spotlight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bradshaw/ego-is-to-the-true-self-what-a-flashlight-is-to-a-spotlight/) [John Bradshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bradshaw/) > [Putting your thumb over the flashlight to see it glow...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/putting-your-thumb-over-the-flashlight-to-see-it-glow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“She looked around and spotted the big flashlight on a shelf in the corner among blankets, water bottles, and canned food. She”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willow-rose/she-looked-around-and-spotted-the-big-flashlight-on-a-shelf-in-the/) [Willow Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willow-rose/) > [Brits and Americans have hundreds of different phrases for the same thing. Luckily, it's usually a source of amusement rather than frustration. A flashlight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sloane-crosley/brits-and-americans-have-hundreds-of-different-phrases-for-the-same/) [Sloane Crosley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sloane-crosley/) > [“Don't trust the street lights at night, trust the flashlight in your pocket! If you trust something that is under your control, the probability…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/don-t-trust-the-street-lights-at-night-trust-the-flashlight-in-your/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“You take your flashlight out on your walks, right?” Simon asked. “Depends on the moonlight.” “From now on, take it with you every night.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-howells/you-take-your-flashlight-out-on-your-walks-right-simon-asked-depends/) [Amanda Howells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-howells/) > [There's not a single flashlight app that's not spying on you right now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcafee/there-s-not-a-single-flashlight-app-that-s-not-spying-on-you-right-now/) [John McAfee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcafee/) > [“..:The purpose of a flashlight is to brighten our path when finding ourselves walking in darkness. So is every book written. Specially the BIBLE.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-garcia/the-purpose-of-a-flashlight-is-to-brighten-our-path-when-finding/) [Rafael Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-garcia/) > [I'm sure we've all had that annoying experience when we desperately need a flashlight, we find one, and the batteries are out. Imagine how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-makosinski/i-m-sure-we-ve-all-had-that-annoying-experience-when-we-desperately/) [Ann Makosinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-makosinski/) > [There's another disadvantage to the use of the flashlight: like many other mechanical gadgets it tends to separate a man from the world around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/there-s-another-disadvantage-to-the-use-of-the-flashlight-like-many/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [“Slowly, he lifts the flashlight. Her shorts are torn and frayed, her shirt ripped from chest to naval, exposing her black bra and dirty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-kreitzer/slowly-he-lifts-the-flashlight-her-shorts-are-torn-and-frayed-her/) [Laura Kreitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-kreitzer/) > [“Okay. Take a peek, but I swear if you try anything funny, I’ll beat your head in with my flashlight.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-k-butcher/okay-take-a-peek-but-i-swear-if-you-try-anything-funny-i-ll-beat-your/) [Shannon K. Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-k-butcher/) > [“Someone's moved these crates away from the wall. Go up to the house, will you, and see if you can find a flashlight? I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-elizabeth-phillips/someone-s-moved-these-crates-away-from-the-wall-go-up-to-the-house/) [Susan Elizabeth Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-elizabeth-phillips/) [Browse all 45 Flashlight quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flashlight/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I could see jabs from his flashlight cutting into the woods on either side of me. He was back there, somewhere. 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