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Addict Quote by David Foster Wallace

“The root of addict in latin is the word addicere, which means religious devotion. It was an attribute of beginning monks. There is an element in the book [Infinite Jest] in which various people are living out something that I think is true, which is that we all worship. We all have a religious…” quote by David Foster Wallace
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““The root of addict in latin is the word addicere, which means religious devotion. It was an attribute of beginning monks. There is an element in the book [Infinite Jest] in which various people are living out something that I think is true, which is that we all worship. We all have a religious impulse. We can choose, to an extent, what we worship, but the myth that we worship nothing and give ourselves away to nothing, simply sets ourselves up to give ourselves away to something different. For instance, pleasure or drugs or the idea of having a lot of money, being able to buy nice stuff.””

David Foster Wallace

About This Quote

Source Book: Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace, 1996

Humans have an innate drive to worship something, often substituting material or hedonistic pursuits for deeper spiritual fulfillment.

In simple terms: We always worship something, even if it’s pleasure or money.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and redirect your worship toward meaningful values.

Themes

spirituality addiction materialism

Mood

reflective thoughtful

Type

philosophical analytical

When to use this quote

  • personal growth
  • therapy
  • financial planning
  • addiction recovery
  • mindfulness

Key Concepts

religious impulse worship substitution meaning-seeking

Questions to Reflect On

  • What do you currently worship?
  • How can you shift worship toward healthier pursuits?
A Different Perspective

Worship can become unhealthy if directed toward harmful objects or habits.

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