Fallen Asleep Quote by Graham Greene
““Suddenly I realized she was asleep. Exhausted by her flight she had fallen asleep against my shoulder as so many times, in taxis, in buses, on a park-seat. I sat still and let her be. There was nothing to disturb her in the dark church. The candles napped around the virgin, and there was nobody else there. The slowly growing pain in my upper arm where her weight lay was the greatest pleasure I had ever known.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The End of the Affair by Graham Greene, 1951
The narrator finds profound intimacy and peace in simply being present with a loved one, even in a sacred, quiet setting, where physical closeness becomes a source of deep, almost spiritual pleasure.
In simple terms: Being present with a loved one can bring deep, peaceful pleasure.
Key Takeaway
Embrace quiet moments of closeness.
Themes
intimacy
presence
spirituality
pleasure
Mood
contemplative
serene
intimate
Type
literary
reflective
philosophical
When to use this quote
- church visits
- long flights
- quiet evenings
- intimate moments
Key Concepts
existentialism
sensory experience
theology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you experience presence with loved ones?
- What quiet settings help you feel most connected?
A Different Perspective
The pleasure described may be idealized and not reflect everyday reality.
