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Away Quote by James Agee

“How far we all come. How far we all come away from ourselves. So far, so much between, you can never go home again. You can go home, it's good to go home, but you never really get all the way home again in your life. And what's it all for? All I tried to be, all I ever wanted and went away for…” quote by James Agee
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““How far we all come. How far we all come away from ourselves. So far, so much between, you can never go home again. You can go home, it's good to go home, but you never really get all the way home again in your life. And what's it all for? All I tried to be, all I ever wanted and went away for, what's it all for? Just one way, you do get back home. You have a boy or a girl of your own and now and then you remember, and you know how they feel, and it's almost the same as if you were your own self again, as young as you could remember. And God knows he was lucky, so many ways, and God knows he was thankful. Everything was good and better than he could have hoped for, better than he ever deserved; only, whatever it was and however good it was, it wasn't what you once had been, and had lost, and could never have again, and once in a while, once in a long time, you remembered, and knew how far you were away, and it hit you hard enough, that little while it lasted, to break your heart.””

James Agee

About This Quote

Life's journey distances us from our origins, yet moments of reflection reveal recurring patterns and the bittersweet nature of memory and longing.

In simple terms: We drift from home but recall it.

Key Takeaway

Embrace memories while moving forward.

Themes

nostalgia identity homecoming

Mood

melancholic contemplative

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • family reunions
  • personal growth
  • reflective writing

Key Concepts

memory existential longing

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does “home” mean to you?
  • How do memories shape your choices?
A Different Perspective

Idealizing the past can impede present growth.

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