Cynicism Quote by Hughes Mearns
“As I was walking up the stair. I met a man who wasn't there. He wasn't there again today. I wish, I wish he'd stay away.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The Man Who Was Not There" (attributed to Hughes Mearns, early 20th century)
The speaker encounters an imagined or absent figure repeatedly, expressing a desire for distance, reflecting inner turmoil or unresolved conflict.
In simple terms: An imagined presence haunts, but the speaker wants it gone.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge and set boundaries with intrusive thoughts.
Themes
loneliness
mental health
boundaries
Mood
melancholic
introspective
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- grief processing
- self‑reflection
- creative writing
- therapy sessions
Key Concepts
psychology
existential angst
imaginary encounters
Questions to Reflect On
- What inner “man” do you wish to keep away?
- How can you transform unwanted thoughts into growth?
A Different Perspective
The line may be interpreted as a literal ghost story, limiting its psychological depth.
![“Antigonish [I met a man who wasn’t there] Yesterday, upon the stair, I met a man who wasn’t there He wasn’t there again today I wish, I wish he’d go away... When I came home last night at three The man was waiting there for me But when I looked around the hall I couldn’t see him there at all! Go…” quote by Hughes Mearns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ef8/hughes-mearns-86729_haunting_antigonish-i-met-a-man-who-wasn-t-there_290266.jpg)
