--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The reason is that as far as I am…" description: "\"“The reason is that as far as I am concerned, what happened to me is a purely private matter. In another time, in another place it might be held to be ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ca/j-m-coetzee-2457_africa_the-reason-is-that-as-far-as-i-am-concer_2608194.png" --- # The reason is that as far as I am concerned, what happened… ![“The reason is that as far as I am concerned, what happened to me is a purely private matter. In another time, in another place it might be held to be a public matter. But in this place, in this time, it is not. It is my bussines, mine alone. 'This place being what?' 'This place being South Africa” quote by J.M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ca/j-m-coetzee-2457_africa_the-reason-is-that-as-far-as-i-am-concer_2608194.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ca/j-m-coetzee-2457_africa_the-reason-is-that-as-far-as-i-am-concer_2608194.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ca/j-m-coetzee-2457_africa_the-reason-is-that-as-far-as-i-am-concer_2608194.png) > ““The reason is that as far as I am concerned, what happened to me is a purely private matter. In another time, in another place it might be held to be a public matter. But in this place, in this time, it is not. It is my bussines, mine alone. 'This place being what?' 'This place being South Africa”” [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. The narrator distinguishes personal privacy from public interest, emphasizing context-dependent boundaries of what is considered private. **In simple terms:** Privacy varies by place and time. Key Takeaway Respect contextual privacy. Themes privacy context personal autonomy public interest Mood thoughtful critical Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - online sharing - journalistic reporting - family discussions - legal cases Key Concepts ethical relativism social norms legal frameworks Questions to Reflect On - When should personal matters become public? - How does cultural context shape privacy expectations? A Different Perspective Public scrutiny can still affect private matters. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Africa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/africa/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Rape-culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rape-culture/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Violence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violence/) ## Related quotes > [I'm not as concerned about me. What's happened to me has been great. I got five great kids. Seventeen grandchildren.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-paterno/i-m-not-as-concerned-about-me-what-s-happened-to-me-has-been-great-i/) [Joe Paterno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-paterno/) > [There are very few jobs where you're held up to public scrutiny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-keaton/there-are-very-few-jobs-where-you-re-held-up-to-public-scrutiny/) [Michael Keaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-keaton/) > [It's not a public matter when you discipline your family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-johnson/it-s-not-a-public-matter-when-you-discipline-your-family/) [Calvin Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-johnson/) > [There is no justification for public interference with purely private concerns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/there-is-no-justification-for-public-interference-with-purely-private/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [“Marzipan's a private matter!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-mortimer/marzipan-s-a-private-matter/) [Bob Mortimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-mortimer/) > [My best feature is unfortunately a private matter, although I'm told it is spectacular. But you can't really walk it down the red carpet.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-beckinsale/my-best-feature-is-unfortunately-a-private-matter-although-i-m-told/) [Kate Beckinsale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-beckinsale/) > [I believe that tears should be very private, and no matter what issue or what situation, we should have a very dignified demeanor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hesselbein/i-believe-that-tears-should-be-very-private-and-no-matter-what-issue/) [Frances Hesselbein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hesselbein/) > [Opinions are a private matter. The public has an interest only in judgments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-benjamin/opinions-are-a-private-matter-the-public-has-an-interest-only-in/) [Walter Benjamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-benjamin/) > [Your past's a private matter, sweetheart. You just keep it locked up in xbox where it can't hurt anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherynne-m-valente/your-past-s-a-private-matter-sweetheart-you-just-keep-it-locked-up-in/) [Catherynne M. Valente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherynne-m-valente/) > [“I’m not going to say what was wrong with Claire, not here. I consider that a private matter. It’s nobody’s business what kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-koch/i-m-not-going-to-say-what-was-wrong-with-claire-not-here-i-consider/) [Herman Koch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-koch/) > [Sexuality is a private matter; some believe that broadcasting it destroys the very things that make it sacred.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lance-loud/sexuality-is-a-private-matter-some-believe-that-broadcasting-it/) [Lance Loud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lance-loud/) > [The house has to please everyone, contrary to the work of art which does not. The work is a private matter for the artist.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-please-everyone-contrary-to-the-work-of-art-which/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [The act of creation, as you very well know, is a lonely and private matter and has nothing to do with the public area...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-albee/the-act-of-creation-as-you-very-well-know-is-a-lonely-and-private/) [Edward Albee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-albee/) > [Nutrition is not a private matter!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah/nutrition-is-not-a-private-matter/) [Jonah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah/) > [Education is a private matter between the person and the world of knowledge and experience, and has little to do with school or college.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lillian-smith/education-is-a-private-matter-between-the-person-and-the-world-of/) [Lillian Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lillian-smith/) ## 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 Africa quotes > [“We ought to know the history of our ancient ancestors.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/we-ought-to-know-the-history-of-our-ancient-ancestors/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Africa, being the major target of colonial plunder, therefore becomes a major source of conflict.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-horne/africa-being-the-major-target-of-colonial-plunder-therefore-becomes-a/) [Gerald Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-horne/) > [I'm in 'Madagascar 2.' I'm Testy the Lion. The franchise moves to Africa, and Bernie Mac is also in the film. I loved working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-lister-jr/i-m-in-madagascar-2-i-m-testy-the-lion-the-franchise-moves-to-africa/) [Tom Lister, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-lister-jr/) > [South Africa needs a second liberation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-mugabe/south-africa-needs-a-second-liberation/) [Robert Mugabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-mugabe/) > [There's a place in Botswana where there are 100,000 elephants living in a single population. Think of the amount of space they need. Remember,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-bergin/there-s-a-place-in-botswana-where-there-are-100-000-elephants-living/) [Patrick Bergin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-bergin/) > [If you followed the media you'd think that everybody in Africa was starving to death, and that's not the case; so it's important to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chimamanda-ngozi-adichie/if-you-followed-the-media-you-d-think-that-everybody-in-africa-was/) [Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chimamanda-ngozi-adichie/) > [Africa for the Africans... at home and abroad!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-garvey/africa-for-the-africans-at-home-and-abroad/) [Marcus Garvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-garvey/) > [In Africa, animals and the natural landscape allow local communities to support themselves, as there is a constant source of money from tourism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lidington/in-africa-animals-and-the-natural-landscape-allow-local-communities/) [David Lidington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lidington/) > [My mom is from Ghana, and my dad is from Detroit, so I would go back and forth to Africa a lot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-richardson/my-mom-is-from-ghana-and-my-dad-is-from-detroit-so-i-would-go-back/) [Sam Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-richardson/) > [I've never been invited to do an exhibition or do a talk in England, except once, about 10 years ago. I've given talks all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-wildsmith/i-ve-never-been-invited-to-do-an-exhibition-or-do-a-talk-in-england/) [Brian Wildsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-wildsmith/) > [I represent my country, but I also represent the continent of Africa when I play in Europe. That's why it's important to try to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yaya-toure/i-represent-my-country-but-i-also-represent-the-continent-of-africa/) [Yaya Toure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yaya-toure/) > [What we need in South Africa is for egos to be suppressed in favour of peace. We need to create a new breed of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hani/what-we-need-in-south-africa-is-for-egos-to-be-suppressed-in-favour/) [Chris Hani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hani/) > [I was learning to track rhinoceroses in Africa and tracked right up on an animal that really I thought was going to kill me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-beck/i-was-learning-to-track-rhinoceroses-in-africa-and-tracked-right-up/) [Martha Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-beck/) > [I am interested in bringing Africa to the foot of the Cross.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reinhard-bonnke/i-am-interested-in-bringing-africa-to-the-foot-of-the-cross/) [Reinhard Bonnke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reinhard-bonnke/) > [My mother is a huge fan of my work. 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