Appointments Quote by Edna O'Brien
“There are times when the thing we are seeing changes before our very eyes, and if it is a landscape we praise nature, and if it is celestial we invoke God, but if it is a loved one who defects, we excuse ourselves and say we have to be somewhere and are already late for our next appointment. We do not stay to put pennies over the half-dead eyes.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Country Girls, 1960
Observes how we rationalize neglecting suffering, especially of loved ones, by invoking excuses.
In simple terms: We excuse ignoring pain.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge and act on suffering.
Themes
neglect
compassion
excuse
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
ethical
literary
When to use this quote
- caregiving
- family crisis
- social injustice
Key Concepts
moral responsibility
human connection
empathy
Questions to Reflect On
- What prevents us from staying?
- How can we confront discomfort?
A Different Perspective
Excuses can be self‑preservation.
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