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Children Quote by Fernando Pessoa

“crazed mother her dead child. One day, I don’t know which, I found myself in this world, having lived unfeelingly from the time I was evidently born until then. When I asked where I was, everyone misled me, and they contradicted each other. When I asked them to tell me what I should do, they all…” quote by Fernando Pessoa
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““crazed mother her dead child. One day, I don’t know which, I found myself in this world, having lived unfeelingly from the time I was evidently born until then. When I asked where I was, everyone misled me, and they contradicted each other. When I asked them to tell me what I should do, they all spoke falsely, and each one said something different. When in bewilderment I stopped on the road, everyone was shocked that I didn’t keep going to no one knew where, or else turn back – I, who’d woken up at the crossroads and didn’t know where I’d come from. I saw that I was on stage and didn’t know the part that everyone else recited straight off, also without knowing it. I saw that I was dressed as a page, but they didn’t give me a queen, and blamed me for not having her. I saw that I had a message in my hand to deliver, and when I told them that the sheet of paper was blank, they laughed at me. And I still don’t know if they laughed because all sheets are blank, or because all messages are to be guessed. Finally I sat down on the rock at the crossroads as before the fireplace I never had. And I began, all by myself, to make paper boats with the lie they’d given me. No one would believe in me, not even as a liar, and there was no pond where I could try out my truth.””

Fernando Pessoa

About This Quote

Source Poem: “The Book of Disquiet” (fragment)

The speaker feels lost, questioning identity and truth, confronting contradictory guidance, and ultimately creates his own meaning despite emptiness.

In simple terms: He feels confused, seeks truth, and makes his own path.

Key Takeaway

Create meaning when guidance fails.

Themes

identity truth confusion existentialism creativity

Mood

melancholic introspective

Type

philosophical poetic

When to use this quote

  • Life crossroads
  • creative projects
  • personal crisis

Key Concepts

self‑discovery meaning‑making absurdity

Questions to Reflect On

  • What personal truth can you define for yourself?
  • How do you act when guidance is contradictory?
A Different Perspective

Finding meaning may be impossible without external truth.

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