--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think about fanaticism - oblivion…" description: "\"I think about fanaticism - oblivion awaits, especially for minor writers, so you have to be a fanatic; you have to be a crank to keep going, but on the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a7/cynthia-ozick-2945_about_i-think-about-fanaticism-oblivion-awaits_670054.png" --- # I think about fanaticism - oblivion awaits, especially for… ![“I think about fanaticism - oblivion awaits, especially for minor writers, so you have to be a fanatic; you have to be a crank to keep going, but on the other hand, what else would you do with the rest of your life? You gotta do something.” quote by Cynthia Ozick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a7/cynthia-ozick-2945_about_i-think-about-fanaticism-oblivion-awaits_670054.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a7/cynthia-ozick-2945_about_i-think-about-fanaticism-oblivion-awaits_670054.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a7/cynthia-ozick-2945_about_i-think-about-fanaticism-oblivion-awaits_670054.png) > “I think about fanaticism - oblivion awaits, especially for minor writers, so you have to be a fanatic; you have to be a crank to keep going, but on the other hand, what else would you do with the rest of your life? You gotta do something.” [Cynthia Ozick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-ozick/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Being a fanatic or crank fuels creative work, but the alternative is a meaningless existence. **In simple terms:** Fanaticism drives purpose; without it life feels empty. Key Takeaway Embrace passionate commitment to avoid stagnation. Themes creativity purpose fanaticism existential Mood intense thoughtful Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - writing - artistic pursuits - career choices - personal growth Key Concepts Motivation identity risk-taking Questions to Reflect On - What drives your passion? - When does zeal become harmful? A Different Perspective Obsessive focus can lead to burnout or alienation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Awaits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awaits/) [Fanaticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fanaticism/) [Fanatics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fanatics/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Oblivion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oblivion/) [Rest of your life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rest-of-your-life/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writers/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I think that fanaticism is terrific. As long as you don't have to live with it. Oh, yes, nobody should marry a writer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-ozick/i-think-that-fanaticism-is-terrific-as-long-as-you-don-t-have-to-live/) [Cynthia Ozick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-ozick/) > [Oh build your ship of death. Oh build it! For you will need it. For the voyage of oblivion awaits you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-h-lawrence/oh-build-your-ship-of-death-oh-build-it-for-you-will-need-it-for-the/) [D. H. 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It awaits only you, to live it and to write it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-hobb/your-future-it-awaits-only-you-to-live-it-and-to-write-it/) [Robin Hobb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-hobb/) > [“There is nothing more horrible than knowing what awaits us tomorrow,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariam-petrosyan/there-is-nothing-more-horrible-than-knowing-what-awaits-us-tomorrow/) [Mariam Petrosyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariam-petrosyan/) > [The same night awaits us all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/the-same-night-awaits-us-all/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [He who awaits much can expect little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriel-garc-a-m-rquez/he-who-awaits-much-can-expect-little/) [Gabriel Garcia Marquez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriel-garc-a-m-rquez/) ## More by Cynthia Ozick > [History ... isn't simply what has happened. 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