--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He was surprised to find that beyond his…" description: "\"“He was surprised to find that beyond his puzzlement he had few misgivings, and none at all on his own behalf. There were moments in life when one open..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e0/james-hilton-8522_life_he-was-surprised-to-find-that-beyond-his_1868881.jpg" --- # He was surprised to find that beyond his puzzlement he had… ![“He was surprised to find that beyond his puzzlement he had few misgivings, and none at all on his own behalf. There were moments in life when one opened wide one’s soul just as one might open wide one’s purse if an evening’s entertainment were proving unexpectedly costly but also unexpectedly novel.” quote by James Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e0/james-hilton-8522_life_he-was-surprised-to-find-that-beyond-his_1868881.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e0/james-hilton-8522_life_he-was-surprised-to-find-that-beyond-his_1868881.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e0/james-hilton-8522_life_he-was-surprised-to-find-that-beyond-his_1868881.jpg) > ““He was surprised to find that beyond his puzzlement he had few misgivings, and none at all on his own behalf. There were moments in life when one opened wide one’s soul just as one might open wide one’s purse if an evening’s entertainment were proving unexpectedly costly but also unexpectedly novel.”” [James Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-hilton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑examination reveals hidden doubts, yet generosity and curiosity persist despite uncertainty. **In simple terms:** Inner doubts coexist with openness to new experiences. Key Takeaway Embrace curiosity while acknowledging unease. Themes self‑reflection generosity curiosity uncertainty novelty Mood thoughtful introspective Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - Personal crises - financial strain - unexpected opportunities - emotional openness Key Concepts Existentialism psychology risk taking Questions to Reflect On - What drives you to open your heart despite fear? - How do you balance caution with curiosity? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on novelty can lead to reckless decisions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Moments In Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments-in-life/) [Puzzlement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/puzzlement/) [Surprised](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surprised/) ## Related quotes > [“God sure hadn't done His menfolk any favors when He's made women such a puzzlement.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-jennings/god-sure-hadn-t-done-his-menfolk-any-favors-when-he-s-made-women-such/) [Regina Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-jennings/) > [We look about in puzzlement at our world, with a sense of unease and disquiet. We think of ourselves as scholars in arcane liturgies,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/we-look-about-in-puzzlement-at-our-world-with-a-sense-of-unease-and/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“Ah yes, a great victory, this 'sport'. 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Moberly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-w-l-moberly/) > [Confusion starts to rhyme in this melody I sing. Questions filled my mind, puzzlement is all it brings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cleo/confusion-starts-to-rhyme-in-this-melody-i-sing-questions-filled-my/) [Cleo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cleo/) > [Where was I going? I puzzled and wondered about it til I actually enjoyed the puzzlement and wondering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sandburg/where-was-i-going-i-puzzled-and-wondered-about-it-til-i-actually/) [Carl Sandburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sandburg/) > [“Puzzlement drew a crease in his brow, like he was divining a mystery. Like she was his mystery.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/puzzlement-drew-a-crease-in-his-brow-like-he-was-divining-a-mystery/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [I realized, "Gee, you're making the same film over and over here." I just kept making them for my own amusement, but also with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-jarmusch/i-realized-gee-you-re-making-the-same-film-over-and-over-here-i-just/) [Jim Jarmusch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-jarmusch/) > [There are some moments in life that are like pivots around which your existence turns—small intuitive flashes, when you know you have done something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robyn-davidson/there-are-some-moments-in-life-that-are-like-pivots-around-which-your/) [Robyn Davidson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robyn-davidson/) > [Those moments in life where your soul is committed to finding food and will do whatever is necessary to get it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/those-moments-in-life-where-your-soul-is-committed-to-finding-food/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [=.Best Moments In Life.= -2 laugh until it hurts Ur stomach -2 clear Ur last exam -2 recve a call 4m some1, U dnt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark/best-moments-in-life-2-laugh-until-it-hurts-ur-stomach-2-clear-ur/) [Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark/) ## More by James Hilton > [“It seemed to him that the little Manchu had never looked so radiant. She gave him a most charming smile, but her eyes were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-hilton/it-seemed-to-him-that-the-little-manchu-had-never-looked-so-radiant/) [James Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-hilton/) > [if we have not found the heaven within,we have not found the heaven without](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-hilton/if-we-have-not-found-the-heaven-within-we-have-not-found-the-heaven/) [James Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-hilton/) > [There's only one thing more important... and that is, after you've done what you set out to do, to feel that it's been worth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-hilton/there-s-only-one-thing-more-important-and-that-is-after-you-ve-done/) [James Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-hilton/) > [The first quarter-century of your life was doubtless lived under the cloud of being too young for things, while the last quarter-century would normally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-hilton/the-first-quarter-century-of-your-life-was-doubtless-lived-under-the/) [James Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-hilton/) > [When you are getting on in years (but not ill, of course), you get very sleepy at times, and the hours seem to pass…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-hilton/when-you-are-getting-on-in-years-but-not-ill-of-course-you-get-very/) [James Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-hilton/) > [“Perhaps the exhaustion of the passions is the beginning of wisdom, if you care to alter the proverb.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-hilton/perhaps-the-exhaustion-of-the-passions-is-the-beginning-of-wisdom-if/) [James Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-hilton/) > [“On the night before the wedding, when Chips left the house to return to his hotel, she said, with mock gravity: "This is an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-hilton/on-the-night-before-the-wedding-when-chips-left-the-house-to-return/) [James Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-hilton/) > [“Now let me begin by sketching for you a very agreeable picture. You are still, I should say, a youngish man by the world’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-hilton/now-let-me-begin-by-sketching-for-you-a-very-agreeable-picture-you/) [James Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-hilton/) > [“Then, my son, when the strong have devoured each other, the Christian ethic may at last be fulfilled, and the meek shall inherit the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-hilton/then-my-son-when-the-strong-have-devoured-each-other-the-christian/) [James Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-hilton/) > [What a host of little incidents, all deep-buried in the past -- problems that had once been urgent, arguments that had once been keen,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-hilton/what-a-host-of-little-incidents-all-deep-buried-in-the-past-problems/) [James Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-hilton/) > [“Conway felt again, as he gazed up at the stupendous mountain wall, that there was a superb and exquisite peril in the scene; but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-hilton/conway-felt-again-as-he-gazed-up-at-the-stupendous-mountain-wall-that/) [James Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-hilton/) > [“Cigars had burned low, and we were beginning to sample the disillusionment that usually afflicts old school friends who have met again as men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-hilton/cigars-had-burned-low-and-we-were-beginning-to-sample-the/) [James Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-hilton/) > [“They were all, too, except himself, affected by the altitude. 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Mallinson was muttering to himself;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-hilton/they-were-all-too-except-himself-affected-by-the-altitude-even/) [James Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-hilton/) > [“Laziness in doing stupid things can be a great virtue Chang - Lost Horizon (1933) ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-hilton/laziness-in-doing-stupid-things-can-be-a-great-virtue-chang-lost/) [James Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-hilton/) > [“And so it stood, a warm and vivid patch in his life, casting a radiance that glowed in a thousand recollections.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-hilton/and-so-it-stood-a-warm-and-vivid-patch-in-his-life-casting-a-radiance/) [James Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-hilton/) [Explore all 80 James Hilton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-hilton/) ## More Life quotes > [Of all the people who have affected my life and influenced the choices I've made, none has been more important than my father. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-atlas/of-all-the-people-who-have-affected-my-life-and-influenced-the/) [Teddy Atlas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-atlas/) > [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. By suppressing differences and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/what-sets-worlds-in-motion-is-the-interplay-of-differences-their/) [Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life works most perfectly when a reciprocal love relationship is in place between man and God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/life-works-most-perfectly-when-a-reciprocal-love-relationship-is-in/) [Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/) > [I value the experiences that come with life too much to sit by and not put my full effort into them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-miller/i-value-the-experiences-that-come-with-life-too-much-to-sit-by-and/) [Jim Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-miller/) > [Entertainment is a sacred pursuit when done well. When done well, it raises the quality of human life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/entertainment-is-a-sacred-pursuit-when-done-well-when-done-well-it/) [Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/) > [“There's more to life than you can see. Your sight is limited.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammy-kling/there-s-more-to-life-than-you-can-see-your-sight-is-limited/) [Tammy Kling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammy-kling/) > [“I've spent much of my life calling my intuition "something wrong with me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deanna-l-lawlis/i-ve-spent-much-of-my-life-calling-my-intuition-something-wrong-with/) Deanna L. Lawlis > [When you do things they're absolutely right at that time for you and it can always teach you something about yourself. You can take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kym-marsh/when-you-do-things-they-re-absolutely-right-at-that-time-for-you-and/) [Kym Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kym-marsh/) > [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/) > [The one thing that I keep learning over and over again is that I don't know nothing. I mean, that's my life lesson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-johnson/the-one-thing-that-i-keep-learning-over-and-over-again-is-that-i-don/) [Dwayne Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-johnson/) > [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The future is only an indifferent void no one cares about, but the past is filled with life, and its countenance is irritating, repellent,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/the-future-is-only-an-indifferent-void-no-one-cares-about-but-the/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [Two things revolutionised life: moving to the countryside and falling in love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-love/two-things-revolutionised-life-moving-to-the-countryside-and-falling/) [Nick Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-love/) > [But just remember, life without me would be even more unbearable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-rice/but-just-remember-life-without-me-would-be-even-more-unbearable/) [Anne Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-rice/) [Browse all 265,290 Life quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“He was surprised to find that beyond his puzzlement he had few misgivings, and none at all on his own behalf. 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