Action Quote by Djuna Barnes
“She was nervous about the future; it made her indelicate. She was one of the most unimportantly wicked women of her time --because she could not let her time alone, and yet could never be a part of it. She wanted to be the reason for everything and so was the cause of nothing. She had the fluency of tongue and action meted out by divine providence to those who cannot think for themselves. She was the master of the over-sweet phrase, the over-tight embrace.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Nightwood by Djuna Barnes, 1936
She craves significance yet remains ineffective, using charm to mask emptiness.
In simple terms: Seeking purpose without action leads to emptiness.
Key Takeaway
Seek authentic purpose.
Themes
identity
meaninglessness
social performance
Mood
melancholic
critical
Type
literary
psychological
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- career ambitions
- social activism
Key Concepts
existentialism
self‑deception
feminist critique
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives her need for importance?
- Can self‑awareness replace performance?
A Different Perspective
Her behavior may be a coping mechanism, not mere flaw.
![“They [the Founding Fathers] were intent upon establishing a Christian commonwealth in accordance with the principle of self-government. They were an inspired body of men. It has been said that God sifted the nations that He might send choice grain into the wilderness ... Who can fail to see it in…” quote by Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/141/calvin-coolidge-764_body_they-the-founding-fathers-were-intent-up_337118.jpg)
