Skip to content

Aunt Quote by Isabel Allende

“I have a hundred-year-old aunt who aspires to sainthood, and whose only wish has been to go into the convent, but no congregation, not even the Little Sisters of Charity, could tolerate her for more than a few weeks, so the family has had to look after her. Believe me, there is nothing so…” quote by Isabel Allende
Download Open image
“I have a hundred-year-old aunt who aspires to sainthood, and whose only wish has been to go into the convent, but no congregation, not even the Little Sisters of Charity, could tolerate her for more than a few weeks, so the family has had to look after her. Believe me, there is nothing so insufferable as a saint, I wouldn't sic one on my worst enemy.”

Isabel Allende

About This Quote

Source Novel: The House of the Spirits, 1982

Caring for a demanding relative who aspires to sainthood becomes a burdensome duty, highlighting the difficulty of accommodating extreme devotion.

In simple terms: Caring for a demanding saintly aunt is exhausting.

Key Takeaway

Set realistic expectations.

Themes

family duty sanctity burden

Mood

tired empathetic

Type

personal reflective

When to use this quote

  • elder care
  • family obligations
  • religious communities
  • personal limits

Key Concepts

caregiver stress religious vocation

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance compassion with self-care?
  • When should boundaries be enforced?
A Different Perspective

Idealizing sanctity can create unrealistic expectations.

2.4 out of 5 (4 ratings)

More by Isabel Allende

Explore all 552 Isabel Allende quotes

More Aunt quotes

Browse all 720 Aunt quotes