--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Becoming drunk is a journey that…" description: "\"“Becoming drunk is a journey that generally elates him in the early stages—he's good company, expansive, mischievous and fun, the famous old poet, almo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/908/ian-mcewan-494_business_becoming-drunk-is-a-journey-that-general_592771.png" --- # Becoming drunk is a journey that generally elates him in… ![“Becoming drunk is a journey that generally elates him in the early stages—he's good company, expansive, mischievous and fun, the famous old poet, almost as happy listening as talking. But once the destination is met, once established up there on that unsunny plateau, a fully qualified drunk, the…” quote by Ian McEwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/908/ian-mcewan-494_business_becoming-drunk-is-a-journey-that-general_592771.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/908/ian-mcewan-494_business_becoming-drunk-is-a-journey-that-general_592771.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/908/ian-mcewan-494_business_becoming-drunk-is-a-journey-that-general_592771.png) > ““Becoming drunk is a journey that generally elates him in the early stages—he's good company, expansive, mischievous and fun, the famous old poet, almost as happy listening as talking. But once the destination is met, once established up there on that unsunny plateau, a fully qualified drunk, the nastier muses, the goblins of aggression, paranoia, self-pity take control. The expectation now is that an evening with John will go bad somehow, unless everyone around is prepared to toil at humouring and flattering and hours of frozen-faced listening. No one will be.”” [Ian McEwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mcewan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Excessive indulgence in alcohol leads from initial euphoria to later paranoia, aggression, and self‑pity, ruining social interactions. **In simple terms:** Too much drinking turns fun into misery. Key Takeaway Moderate consumption to preserve enjoyment. Themes addiction social dynamics self\_awareness Mood somber analytical Type cautionary literary When to use this quote - party planning - stress relief - personal boundaries - mental health awareness Key Concepts psychology behavioral health literature Questions to Reflect On - When does enjoyment become harmful? - How can you maintain balance in social settings? A Different Perspective Alcohol’s effects can become harmful after initial pleasure fades. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Drunk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drunk/) [Good company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-company/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [Wine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wine/) ## Related quotes > [“Take some books and read; that’s an immense help; and books are always good company if you have the right sort.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-may-alcott/take-some-books-and-read-that-s-an-immense-help-and-books-are-always/) [Louisa May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-may-alcott/) > [Even when you are alone, always try to be in good company.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/even-when-you-are-alone-always-try-to-be-in-good-company/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [My gentleman gives the law where he is; he will outpray saints in chapel, outgeneral veterans in the field, and outshine all courtesy in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/my-gentleman-gives-the-law-where-he-is-he-will-outpray-saints-in/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“His OFELLUS in the Art of Living in London, I have heard him relate, was an Irish painter, whom he knew at Birmingham, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-boswell/his-ofellus-in-the-art-of-living-in-london-i-have-heard-him-relate/) [James Boswell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-boswell/) > [And if you feel that everyone has rejected you and your ideas let me tell you this, you are most assuredly in good company.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-van-fleet/and-if-you-feel-that-everyone-has-rejected-you-and-your-ideas-let-me/) [James Van Fleet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-van-fleet/) > [“I’m looking for good company and bad influence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charleigh-rose/i-m-looking-for-good-company-and-bad-influence/) [Charleigh Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charleigh-rose/) > [Driving stock up from one day to the next is not what we are about. 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