Certain Quote by Dave Sim
“The problem is maddening. The thing you seek is so close, you feel you could reach out and touch it. You feel it is your immutable destiny to do so. You have not come this far and at such a cost merely to turn around and go back. There is a solution. Of this you are certain. Now, no longer a game of mass, a game of destiny, it has become, instead a contest of wills. You focus on That Which You Seek as if your gaze alone might bring it closer or narrow the distance between you. Just as it feels as if your mind itself will explode from the strain.”
About This Quote
Source Comic: Cerebus the Aardvark, Volume 5, 1991
The quote describes the intense frustration of pursuing a goal that feels both inevitable and just out of reach, turning the effort into a mental battle of wills.
In simple terms: Pursuing a near‑reach goal feels exhausting and like a mental battle.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the mental strain and break the goal into manageable steps.
Themes
determination
frustration
goal pursuit
mental strain
Mood
tense
driven
reflective
Type
motivational
philosophical
cautionary
When to use this quote
- creative projects
- career milestones
- personal ambitions
- academic research
Key Concepts
psychology of motivation
destiny myth
willpower
cognitive overload
Questions to Reflect On
- What practical steps can you take to complement your mental focus?
- How do you balance willpower with realistic planning?
A Different Perspective
The focus on will alone may overlook practical strategies needed to achieve the goal.
