Abandoned Quote by Erich Maria Remarque
““Now we would wander around like strangers in those landscapes of our youth. We have been consumed in the fires of reality, we perceive differences only in the way tradesmen do, and we see necessities like butchers. We are free of care no longer – we are terrifying indifferent. We might be present in that world, but would we be alive in it? We are like children who have been abandoned and we are as experienced as old men, we are coarse, unhappy and superficial – I think that we are lost””
About This Quote
Source Novel: All Quiet on the Western Front, 1929
The speaker reflects on how adulthood and harsh realities have stripped away youthful wonder, leaving a feeling of alienation and emptiness.
In simple terms: Adult life can feel empty and alienating compared to youthful wonder.
Key Takeaway
Seek meaning beyond material concerns.
Themes
alienation
nostalgia
existential crisis
loss
identity
Mood
melancholic
reflective
somber
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career stagnation
- midlife crisis
- post‑war trauma
- parenting
- creative writing
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we retain wonder while embracing adult responsibilities?
- What practices restore a sense of aliveness?
A Different Perspective
The perspective may romanticize youth and overlook the value of mature responsibility.
