Love and trust Quote by Don DeLillo
““What makes this city different is that nobody expects to be in one place for ten minutes. Everybody moves all the time. Seven nameless men own everything and move us around on a board. People are swept out into the streets because the owners need the space. Then they are swept off the streets because someone owns the air they breathe. Men buy and sell air in the sky and there are bodies heaped together in boxes on the sidewalk. Then they sweep away the boxes." "You like to overstate." "I overstate things to stay alive. This is the point of New York. I completely love and trust this city but I know the moment I stop being angry I'm finished forever.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: White Noise, 1985
The quote portrays New York as a chaotic, commodified space where constant motion and ownership erode personal stability, and survival depends on perpetual anger.
In simple terms: NYC is chaotic, owned, and survival needs anger.
Key Takeaway
Embrace the city's energy, stay aware of its pressures.
Themes
urban life
commodification
anger
survival
identity
Mood
anxious
defiant
reflective
Type
literary
social commentary
urban critique
When to use this quote
- daily commute
- housing market
- political protest
- personal relationships
- mental health
Key Concepts
capitalism
alienation
power dynamics
existential angst
Questions to Reflect On
- How does anger protect you in a hostile environment?
- Can you find balance without losing vitality?
A Different Perspective
Constant anger may lead to burnout and alienation.
