Cheating Quote by Garth Risk Hallberg
““I couldn't understand; cheating was the one thing I'd told her all those years ago would be unforgivable. She knew, she said, but that was part of what had been confusing her, that I would even have told her that, as if she weren't an actual human being with the freedom to act, but some character in a scenario in my head. There was a quality I had of making the people closest to me feel lonely, somehow. Some essential cold withholding at the core of myself.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: “A Little Life” by Hanya Yanagihara, 2015 (misattributed)
The narrator reflects on dehumanizing others, feeling detached, and recognizing a pattern of emotional distance that isolates loved ones.
In simple terms: He treats people like characters, not real humans, causing loneliness.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and address emotional detachment.
Themes
psychology
relationships
self-awareness
Mood
somber
introspective
Type
literary
psychological
When to use this quote
- therapy
- family gatherings
- intimate conversations
- creative writing
Key Concepts
emotional withholding
objectification
loneliness
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives this detachment?
- How can you foster genuine empathy?
A Different Perspective
Self‑reflection can be painful and may not lead to change.
