Journey Quote by Erica Jong
““The picaresque path can probably also be a metaphor for the passage of the soul back to its creator. The thieves along the way -- the thieves of money, of love, of magic, of time -- are merely human obstacles to keep the traveller from perceiving that she herself is the path. The path is as steep and as precipitous as we make it, as level and rolling as we can grade it, as steady as we are steady, as passable or impassable as our own will to pass. In a true picaresque, the hero stops struggling and becomes the path. At fifty, we need this knowledge most of all.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Fear of Flying by Erica Jong, 1973
The quote likens life's journey to a picaresque adventure where external temptations are obstacles, and true mastery comes from becoming the path itself through willpower and self‑realization.
In simple terms: Life is a journey; become the path, not just a traveler.
Key Takeaway
Embrace inner will to shape your destiny.
Themes
self‑discovery
spirituality
willpower
journey
obstacles
Mood
reflective
inspirational
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
motivational
spiritual
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- spiritual practice
- overcoming distractions
- midlife reflection
Key Concepts
picaresque narrative
metaphor
inner transformation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you turn obstacles into stepping stones?
- What does “becoming the path” mean for you at this stage?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may oversimplify complex social and material constraints that cannot be solved solely by will.
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