Aversion Quote by George Saunders
““He had no aversion to me, is how I might put it. Or rather, he had once had such an aversion, still bore traces of it, but, in examining that aversion, pushing it into the light, had somewhat, already, eroded it. He was an open book. An opening book. That had just been opened up somewhat wider. By sorrow. And—by us. By all of us, black and white, who had so recently mass-inhabited him.””
About This Quote
Source Short Story: “Tenth of December” by George Saunders, 2013
He describes a gradual reduction of someone's lingering dislike through shared sorrow and collective openness, likening the person to a book being opened wider.
In simple terms: Shared sorrow can lessen old grudges.
Key Takeaway
Allow empathy to broaden connections.
Themes
empathy
healing
human connection
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- family gatherings
- counseling sessions
- community healing
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
psychology
social dynamics
emotional vulnerability
Questions to Reflect On
- How does collective sorrow transform personal bias?
- Can openness fully erase past resentment?
A Different Perspective
Even with openness, deep-seated aversion may persist.
