--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: people are worn away with striving, they…" description: "\"“people are worn away with striving, they hide in common habits. their concerns are herd concerns. few have the ability to stare at an old shoe for ten..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a47/charles-bukowski-73_habits_people-are-worn-away-with-striving-they_2801506.jpg" --- # people are worn away with striving, they hide in common… ![“people are worn away with striving, they hide in common habits. their concerns are herd concerns. few have the ability to stare at an old shoe for ten minutes or to think of odd things like who invented the doorknob? they become unalive because they are unable to pause undo themselves unkink unsee…” quote by Charles Bukowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a47/charles-bukowski-73_habits_people-are-worn-away-with-striving-they_2801506.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a47/charles-bukowski-73_habits_people-are-worn-away-with-striving-they_2801506.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a47/charles-bukowski-73_habits_people-are-worn-away-with-striving-they_2801506.jpg) > ““people are worn away with striving, they hide in common habits. their concerns are herd concerns. few have the ability to stare at an old shoe for ten minutes or to think of odd things like who invented the doorknob? they become unalive because they are unable to pause undo themselves unkink unsee unlearn roll clear. listen to their untrue laughter, then walk away.”” [Charles Bukowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bukowski/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People exhaust themselves by conforming, missing deeper curiosity and self‑reflection, leading to a lifeless state. **In simple terms:** Conformity drains life; curiosity revives. Key Takeaway Pause, question habits, seek wonder. Themes conformity curiosity existential reflection Mood melancholic reflective Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - daily routine - creative work - social interaction - personal growth Key Concepts nihilism authenticity mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - What habit hides your deeper self? - How can you cultivate pause? A Different Perspective True insight requires effort beyond surface habits. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) ## Related quotes > [For those who believe in God, most of the big questions are answered. 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