--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He would never want to diminish that…" description: "\"“He would never want to diminish that event, that blow. It was nothing less than a calamity. It has shrunk his world, turned him into a prisoner. But e..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b1/j-m-coetzee-2457_calamity_he-would-never-want-to-diminish-that-eve_2585395.png" --- # He would never want to diminish that event, that blow. It… ![“He would never want to diminish that event, that blow. It was nothing less than a calamity. It has shrunk his world, turned him into a prisoner. But escaping death ought to have shaken him up, opened windows inside him, renewed his sense of the preciousness of life. It has done nothing of the…” quote by J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b1/j-m-coetzee-2457_calamity_he-would-never-want-to-diminish-that-eve_2585395.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b1/j-m-coetzee-2457_calamity_he-would-never-want-to-diminish-that-eve_2585395.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b1/j-m-coetzee-2457_calamity_he-would-never-want-to-diminish-that-eve_2585395.png) > ““He would never want to diminish that event, that blow. It was nothing less than a calamity. It has shrunk his world, turned him into a prisoner. But escaping death ought to have shaken him up, opened windows inside him, renewed his sense of the preciousness of life. It has done nothing of the sort. He is trapped with the same old self as before , only greyer and drearier. Enough to drive one to drink.”” [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A traumatic event fails to transform the protagonist, leaving him more cynical and trapped in his old self. **In simple terms:** He remains unchanged after a crisis. Key Takeaway Recognize when trauma is not leading to growth. Themes psychology existentialism stagnation Mood melancholic reflective Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - personal crisis - mental health - addiction recovery Key Concepts self‑deception nihilism resilience Questions to Reflect On - What internal barriers prevent change after trauma? - How can one actively seek renewal? A Different Perspective Growth often requires conscious effort, not just experience. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Calamity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calamity/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Old self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-self/) [Preciousness Of Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preciousness-of-life/) ## Related quotes > [“Now, narrowly escaping death didn’t warrant his attention.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-wight/now-narrowly-escaping-death-didn-t-warrant-his-attention/) [Will Wight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-wight/) > [“Neither in war nor yet at law ought any man to use every way of escaping death. For often in battle there is no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/neither-in-war-nor-yet-at-law-ought-any-man-to-use-every-way-of/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [Getting hurt and narrowly escaping death is sort of a thing for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/channing-tatum/getting-hurt-and-narrowly-escaping-death-is-sort-of-a-thing-for-me/) [Channing Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/channing-tatum/) > [When I first came up, the whole AIDS epidemic was starting, and the gay community that I experienced from the beginning of my career…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madonna-ciccone/when-i-first-came-up-the-whole-aids-epidemic-was-starting-and-the-gay/) [Madonna Ciccone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madonna-ciccone/) > [By struggling toovercome the pain and sadness that accompanies death, we become sharply aware of the dignity and preciousness of life anddevelop the compassion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senora-roy/by-struggling-toovercome-the-pain-and-sadness-that-accompanies-death/) [Senora Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senora-roy/) > [“Why is the half of humanity with a special sensitivity to the preciousness of life, the half untainted by testosterone poisoning, almost wholly unrepresented…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/why-is-the-half-of-humanity-with-a-special-sensitivity-to-the/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [In some ways, risk-taking is the ultimate act of self-indulgence , an obscene insult to the preciousness of life. And yet, how can one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-junger/in-some-ways-risk-taking-is-the-ultimate-act-of-self-indulgence-an/) [Sebastian Junger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-junger/) > [We need to learn to dance with the preciousness of life and to appreciate each glorious moment. In this way we experience Gods love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/we-need-to-learn-to-dance-with-the-preciousness-of-life-and-to/) Senoraroy > [The experience of losing a loved one impels us toward a deeper understanding of life. Everyone fears and is saddened by death. That is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daisaku-ikeda/the-experience-of-losing-a-loved-one-impels-us-toward-a-deeper/) [Daisaku Ikeda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daisaku-ikeda/) > [“A simpler form of the same objection consists in saying that death ought not to be final, that there ought to be a second…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis-2/a-simpler-form-of-the-same-objection-consists-in-saying-that-death/) [C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis-2/) > [The preciousness of life and the changes of weather and the beauty of seasons - all those things have always sort of dazzled me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-doerr/the-preciousness-of-life-and-the-changes-of-weather-and-the-beauty-of/) [Anthony Doerr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-doerr/) > [“Trayvon Martin’s killing touches on something universal. His death ought to make us look at ourselves and be honest: we need to realize that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-k-fallon/trayvon-martin-s-killing-touches-on-something-universal-his-death/) [Peter K. Fallon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-k-fallon/) > [“Flowers magnetize us with their beauty and reflect back to us our own essence. Their qualities magnify positive aspects of ourselves. They serve as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-hess/flowers-magnetize-us-with-their-beauty-and-reflect-back-to-us-our-own/) [Katie Hess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-hess/) > [In fact, life is our greatest teacher. Whatever we are doing can be instructive, whether we are at the office, or talking to our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-richard-riso/in-fact-life-is-our-greatest-teacher-whatever-we-are-doing-can-be/) [Don Richard Riso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-richard-riso/) > [Whatever your struggle, my brothers and sisters-mental or emotional or physical or otherwise-do not vote against the preciousness of life by ending it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/whatever-your-struggle-my-brothers-and-sisters-mental-or-emotional-or/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) ## More by J.M. Coetzee > [“I urge you: don't cut short these thought-trains of yours. Follow them through to their end. Your thoughts and your feelings. Follow them through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/i-urge-you-don-t-cut-short-these-thought-trains-of-yours-follow-them/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“I truly believe I am not afraid of death. What I shrink from, I believe, is the shame of dying as stupid and befuddled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/i-truly-believe-i-am-not-afraid-of-death-what-i-shrink-from-i-believe/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“Technically he is old enough to be her father; but then, technically one can be a father at twelve.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/technically-he-is-old-enough-to-be-her-father-but-then-technically/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/i-remember-asking-john-after-dusklands-what-new-project-he-had-on-the/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“The truth is, he tired of criticism, tired of prose measured by the yard." --Disgrace”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/the-truth-is-he-tired-of-criticism-tired-of-prose-measured-by-the/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“Since I was in flight from religion, I assumed that my classmates had to be in flight from religion too, albeit in a quieter,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/since-i-was-in-flight-from-religion-i-assumed-that-my-classmates-had/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“Lucy was frightened, frightened near to death. Her voice choked, she could not breath, her limbs went numb. "This is not happening", she said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/lucy-was-frightened-frightened-near-to-death-her-voice-choked-she/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“It occurs to me that we crush insects beneath our feet, miracles of creation too, beetles, worms, cockroaches, ants, in their various ways.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/it-occurs-to-me-that-we-crush-insects-beneath-our-feet-miracles-of/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“He sits with the pen in his hand, holding himself back from a descent into representations that have no place in the world, on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/he-sits-with-the-pen-in-his-hand-holding-himself-back-from-a-descent/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“Do you remember Vlek, who was such a good sheepdog that she and Jakob alone could drive a whole flock past you at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/do-you-remember-vlek-who-was-such-a-good-sheepdog-that-she-and-jakob/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“We are accustomed to believe that our world was created by God speaking the Word; but I ask, may it not rather be that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/we-are-accustomed-to-believe-that-our-world-was-created-by-god/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“...from the oppression of such freedom who would not welcome the liberation of confinement?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/from-the-oppression-of-such-freedom-who-would-not-welcome-the/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“If he has a last thought, if there is time for a last thought, it will simply be, So this is what a last…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/if-he-has-a-last-thought-if-there-is-time-for-a-last-thought-it-will/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“At what age , he wonders, did Origen castrate himself? Not the most graceful solution, but then ageing is not a graceful bussines.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/at-what-age-he-wonders-did-origen-castrate-himself-not-the-most/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) > [“...he seems to be on the brink of one of his bad spells again, one of the fits of lugubrious self-pity that turn into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-coetzee/he-seems-to-be-on-the-brink-of-one-of-his-bad-spells-again-one-of-the/) [J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) [Explore all 122 J.M. Coetzee quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee/) ## More Calamity quotes > [The only people who think the Internet is a calamity are people whose lives have been hurt by it; the only people who insist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-klosterman/the-only-people-who-think-the-internet-is-a-calamity-are-people-whose/) [Chuck Klosterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-klosterman/) > [Forgetting your Self is the greatest injury; all the calamities flow from it. Take care of the most important, the lesser will take care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/forgetting-your-self-is-the-greatest-injury-all-the-calamities-flow/) [Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/) > [The compensations of calamity are made apparent to the understanding also, after long intervals of time. A fever, a mutilation, a cruel disappointment, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-compensations-of-calamity-are-made-apparent-to-the-understanding/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [When men are unhappy, they do not imagine they can ever cease to be so; and when some calamity has fallen on them, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/when-men-are-unhappy-they-do-not-imagine-they-can-ever-cease-to-be-so/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [In spite of calamity, He still has a plan for me, And it’s working for my good, And it’s building my testimony...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-sapp/in-spite-of-calamity-he-still-has-a-plan-for-me-and-it-s-working-for/) [Marvin Sapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-sapp/) > [Calamity, war, famine, plague, death, adversity, disease, injury do not necessarily produce repentance. We may become better in a calamity but it does not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/calamity-war-famine-plague-death-adversity-disease-injury-do-not/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [I doubt if I have made the best use of all my calamities. Soft, amiable natures they would have refined to saintliness; of strong,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/i-doubt-if-i-have-made-the-best-use-of-all-my-calamities-soft-amiable/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [Drudgery, calamity, exasperation, want, are instructors in eloquence and wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/drudgery-calamity-exasperation-want-are-instructors-in-eloquence-and/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [It is the common calamity of old age to lose whatever might have rendered it desirable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/it-is-the-common-calamity-of-old-age-to-lose-whatever-might-have/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [The liberty of the press is a blessing when we are inclined to write against others, and a calamity when we find ourselves overborne…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-liberty-of-the-press-is-a-blessing-when-we-are-inclined-to-write/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [There is a big lesson in experiencing uncertainty and calamity with a sober focus - the most chaotic moments are the ones from which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-stiles/there-is-a-big-lesson-in-experiencing-uncertainty-and-calamity-with-a/) [Tara Stiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-stiles/) > [The worst calamity: 'To have eyes and fail to see.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/the-worst-calamity-to-have-eyes-and-fail-to-see/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [Such exceptional suffering and calamity, then, affecting the hero, and-we must now add-generally extending far and wide beyond him, so as to make the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-c-bradley/such-exceptional-suffering-and-calamity-then-affecting-the-hero-and/) [A. C. Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-c-bradley/) > [When a man has calamity upon calamity the world generally concludes that he must be a very wicked man to deserve them. Perhaps the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amelia-barr/when-a-man-has-calamity-upon-calamity-the-world-generally-concludes/) [Amelia Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amelia-barr/) > [I can remember certain Manchester United defeats the way most people remember family bereavements or great political events. The four-nil drubbing by Barcelona, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-dunne/i-can-remember-certain-manchester-united-defeats-the-way-most-people/) Tom Dunne [Browse all 442 Calamity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calamity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“He would never want to diminish that event, that blow. It was nothing less than a calamity. It has shrunk his world, turned him into a prisoner. 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