Asking John Quote by J.M. Coetzee
““I remember asking John, after Dusklands, what new project he had on the go. His answer was vague. 'There is always something or the other I am working on', he said. 'If I yield to the seduction of not working, what would I do with myself? What would there be to live for? I would have to shoot myself.””
About This Quote
The speaker fears that id work provides purpose; without it, life feels meaningless, prompting extreme despair.
In simple terms: Work as existential anchor
Key Takeaway
Purpose derives from productive activity
Themes
existentialism
purpose
work ethic
mental health
identity
motivation
Mood
introspective
somber
urgent
Type
philosophical
personal
warning
When to use this quote
- career crossroads
- creative block
- midlife crisis
- entrepreneurial burnout
- post‑project lull
Key Concepts
meaning
self-worth
creativity
responsibility
Practical Applications
- career counseling
- mental‑health awareness
Questions to Reflect On
- How does work shape your sense of self?
- What alternatives exist for finding purpose beyond productivity?
![“[A businessmen in plane after 9\11] asked me, "What are you working on now?" And I said I was writing a story about a mouse who tries to save a princess. I was mortified. Here the world is falling down around us, and I'm trying to tell the story about a mouse who saves a princess. I said "It…” quote by Kate DiCamillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cfe/kate-dicamillo-599_asked_a-businessmen-in-plane-after-9-11-asked_2918488.jpg)
