Catholic schools Quote by George Saunders
““Morse found it nerve-wracking to cross the St. Jude grounds just as school was being dismissed, because he felt that if he smiled at the uniformed Catholic children they might think he was a wacko or pervert and if he didn't smile they might think he was an old grouch made bitter by the world, which surely, he felt, by certain yardsticks, he was. Sometimes he wasn't entirely sure that he wasn't even a wacko of sorts, although certainly he wasn't a pervert. Of that he was certain. Or relatively certain. Being overly certain, he was relatively sure, was what eventually made one a wacko.””
About This Quote
Source Short Story: “The St. Jude School” by George Saunders, 2005
Morse feels trapped by others’ expectations, fearing judgment whether he smiles or not, leading to self‑doubt and over‑certainty that fuels his perceived madness.
In simple terms: Fear of judgment makes him doubt himself and act oddly.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and question self‑imposed labels.
Themes
identity
judgment
self‑doubt
certainty
madness
Mood
anxious
reflective
critical
Type
narrative
psychological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- school dismissal
- social interactions
- personal reflection
- mental health coping
Key Concepts
social anxiety
self‑perception
cognitive dissonance
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance self‑confidence with humility?
- When does certainty become harmful?
A Different Perspective
His extreme certainty may ignore external evidence, reinforcing irrational behavior.
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