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Air Quote by Edward Hoagland

“Many divorces are not really the result of irreparable injury but involve, instead, a desire on the part of the man or woman to shatter the setup, start out from scratch alone, and make life work for them all over again. They want the risk of disaster, want to touch bottom, see where bottom is…” quote by Edward Hoagland
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“Many divorces are not really the result of irreparable injury but involve, instead, a desire on the part of the man or woman to shatter the setup, start out from scratch alone, and make life work for them all over again. They want the risk of disaster, want to touch bottom, see where bottom is, and, coming up, to breathe the air with relief and relish again.”

Edward Hoagland

About This Quote

Source Essay: The American Scholar, 1975

People sometimes end marriages not because of damage but to reset their lives, seeking fresh starts and personal freedom.

In simple terms: People may divorce to start over, not just because of hurt.

Key Takeaway

Consider if a breakup is a reset or a symptom.

Themes

relationships reset freedom risk self‑discovery

Mood

reflective hopeful cautious

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

  • career transition
  • personal crisis
  • relationship counseling
  • self‑reassessment

Key Concepts

psychology existentialism autonomy

Questions to Reflect On

  • What truly motivates your desire for a new beginning?
  • Is resetting always healthier than repairing?
A Different Perspective

A fresh start may ignore unresolved issues, leading to repeated patterns.

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