David-foster-wallace Quote by Garth Risk Hallberg
““ Infinite Jest not only says that being human is hard work; it makes us work hard. It not only suggests we put ourselves in service to something larger than ourselves; it is one of those larger somethings. That's its rhetorical genius, and is how Wallace gets his self-help “to fly at such a high altitude”: Like AA, it is theory and praxis in a single stroke. Or: It is what it says, which may be the purest form of art.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Infinite Jest, 1996
Human effort is hard; the novel pushes us to serve something larger, merging theory and practice.
In simple terms: Hard work is essential; art blends theory and action.
Key Takeaway
Embrace effort and larger purpose.
Themes
hard work
purpose
art
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- reading
- personal growth
- creative work
Key Concepts
existentialism
self‑help
Questions to Reflect On
- What larger purpose drives your work?
- How can theory become practice in daily life?
A Different Perspective
The novel’s complexity may alienate some readers.
![“He had finished and collected the three years of drafts [of Infinite Jest] , and finally sat down and typed the whole thing. Wallace didn't really type; he input the giant thing twice, with one finger. "But a really fast finger.” quote by David Lipsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5c9/david-lipsky-30389_david-foster-wallace_he-had-finished-and-collected-the-three_3171441.jpg)
![“…there is an ending [to Infinite Jest] as far as I'm concerned. Certain kind of parallel lines are supposed to start converging in such a way that an "end" can be projected by the reader somewhere beyond the right frame. If no such convergence or projection occured to you, then the book's failed…” quote by David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ec1/david-foster-wallace-161_book_there-is-an-ending-to-infinite-jest-as-f_3084860.jpg)
![“[The entire text of Infinite Jest.]” quote by David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1f5/david-foster-wallace-161_infinite_the-entire-text-of-infinite-jest-2415929_2415929.jpg)
![“You know, I don't want to be offensive. But 'Infinite Jest' [regarded by many as Wallace's masterpiece] is just awful. It seems ridiculous to have to say it. He can't think, he can't write. There's no discernible talent.” quote by Harold Bloom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/129/harold-bloom-3350_awful_you-know-i-don-t-want-to-be-offensive-bu_754760.jpg)
