Writing Quote by Doris Lessing
““But when you get down to it, it’s all a lie. You sit here writing and writing, but no one can see it—that’s arrogant, I told you so before. And you aren’t even honest enough to let yourself be what you are—everything’s divided off and split up. So what’s the use of patronising me and saying: You’re in a bad phase. If you’re not in a bad phase, then it’s because you can’t be in a phase, you take care to divide yourself into compartments. If things are a chaos, then that’s what they are. I don’t think there’s a pattern anywhere—you are just making patterns, out of cowardice. I think people aren’t good at all, they are cannibals, and when you get down to it no one cares about anyone else. All the best people can be good to one other person or their families. But that’s egotism, it isn’t being good. We aren’t any better than the animals, we just pretend to be.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Golden Notebook, Doris Lessing, 1962
The speaker argues that attempts to impose order are self‑deception; true reality is chaotic and selfishness dominates.
In simple terms: Life is chaotic and selfish; patterns are false.
Key Takeaway
Accept chaos, avoid false patterns.
Themes
existentialism
nihilism
human nature
self‑deception
Mood
cynical
reflective
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- personal reflection
- philosophical debate
- ethical discussions
Key Concepts
cognitive dissonance
compartmentalization
egoism
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you create patterns to avoid discomfort?
- How does compartmentalizing affect authenticity?
A Different Perspective
Human nature may resist honest self‑assessment.
