Communication Quote by E.B. White
““Just the minute another person is drawn into some one's life, there begin to arise undreamed-of complexities, and from such a simple beginning as sexual desire we find built up such alarming yet familiar phenomena as fetes, divertissements, telephone conversations, arrangements, plans, sacrifices, train arrivals, meetings, appointments, tardiness, delays, marriages, dinners, small pets and animals, calumny, children, music lessons, yellow shades for the windows, evasions, lethargy, cigarettes, candies, repetition of stories and anecdotes, infidelity, ineptitude, incompatibility, bronchial trouble, and many others, all of which are entirely foreign to the original urge and way off the subject.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Elements of Style (revised edition) by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White, 1959
A brief encounter can spiral into a complex web of obligations, rituals, and unintended consequences that far exceed the original intent.
In simple terms: Simple beginnings often become tangled in many side‑effects.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and manage the ripple effects of new relationships.
Themes
relationships
complexity
unintended consequences
social dynamics
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
observational
analytical
When to use this quote
- dating
- marriage
- friendships
- family planning
- work collaborations
Key Concepts
systems theory
emergent behavior
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you keep core intentions visible amid growing complexity?
- What boundaries help prevent overwhelm?
A Different Perspective
Even a clear intent can be distorted by external expectations and personal habits.
