Skip to content

Compassion Quote by Bret Easton Ellis

“I had all the characteristics of a human being-- flesh, blood, skin, hair-- but my depersonalization was so intense, had gone so deep, that the normal ability to feel compassion had been eradicated, the victim of a slow, purposeful erasure. I was simply imitating reality, a rough resemblance of a…” quote by Bret Easton Ellis
Download Open image
““I had all the characteristics of a human being-- flesh, blood, skin, hair-- but my depersonalization was so intense, had gone so deep, that the normal ability to feel compassion had been eradicated, the victim of a slow, purposeful erasure. I was simply imitating reality, a rough resemblance of a human being, with only a dim corner of my mind functioning. Something horrible was happening and yet I couldn't figure out why-- I couldn't put my finger on it. The only thing that calmed me was the satisfying sound of ice being dropped into a glass of J&B.””

Bret Easton Ellis

About This Quote

Intense depersonalization erodes compassion, leaving only a hollow imitation of humanity, soothed only by a simple sensory ritual.

In simple terms: They felt numb, only ice in a drink helped.

Key Takeaway

Seek grounding sensory experiences.

Themes

mental health depersonalization coping mechanisms

Mood

distressed introspective

Type

personal psychological

When to use this quote

  • therapy
  • mindfulness practices
  • sensory grounding

Key Concepts

psychology neuroscience addiction

Questions to Reflect On

  • What other grounding techniques could help?
  • How can you rebuild compassion?
A Different Perspective

Reliance on a single ritual may be insufficient.

3.9 out of 5 (3 ratings)

More by Bret Easton Ellis

Explore all 286 Bret Easton Ellis quotes

More Compassion quotes

Browse all 9,892 Compassion quotes