--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I imagined leave would be different from…" description: "\"“I imagined leave would be different from this. Indeed, it was different a year ago. It is I of course that have changed in the interval. There lies a ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/675/erich-maria-remarque-568_ask-questions_i-imagined-leave-would-be-different-from_1767574.jpg" --- # I imagined leave would be different from this. Indeed, it… ![“I imagined leave would be different from this. Indeed, it was different a year ago. It is I of course that have changed in the interval. There lies a gulf between that time and to-day. At that time I still knew nothing about the war, we had only been in quiet sectors. But now I see that I have…” quote by Erich Maria Remarque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/675/erich-maria-remarque-568_ask-questions_i-imagined-leave-would-be-different-from_1767574.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/675/erich-maria-remarque-568_ask-questions_i-imagined-leave-would-be-different-from_1767574.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/675/erich-maria-remarque-568_ask-questions_i-imagined-leave-would-be-different-from_1767574.jpg) > ““I imagined leave would be different from this. Indeed, it was different a year ago. It is I of course that have changed in the interval. There lies a gulf between that time and to-day. At that time I still knew nothing about the war, we had only been in quiet sectors. But now I see that I have been crushed without knowing it. I find I do not belong here any more, it is a foreign world. Some of these people ask questions, some ask no questions, but one can see that the latter are proud of themselves for their silence; they often say with a wise air that these things cannot be talked about. They plume themselves on it. I prefer to be alone, so that no one troubles me.”” [Erich Maria Remarque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-maria-remarque/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The narrator feels alienated after war, realizing he no longer fits into the world he once knew. **In simple terms:** War changes identity and creates a sense of not belonging. Key Takeaway Recognize and accept personal change after trauma. Themes war alienation identity silence Mood lonely reflective Type personal philosophical When to use this quote - post‑war reintegration - mental health counseling - support groups for veterans Key Concepts existential crisis psychological trauma social disconnection Questions to Reflect On - How has war reshaped your sense of self? - What can help bridge the gap between past and present? A Different Perspective Silence can be a coping mechanism but may hinder healing. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ask questions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ask-questions/) [Imagined Leave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagined-leave-1748330/) [Leave Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leave-different-1748333/) [Proud Silence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proud-silence-1748332/) [Silence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silence/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [War Quiet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war-quiet-1748331/) ## Related quotes > [When people are proud of their speech, be proud of your silence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luqman/when-people-are-proud-of-their-speech-be-proud-of-your-silence/) [Luqman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luqman/) > [“It's funny how people can change your life without meaning to. 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