Fear Quote by Jean-Paul Sartre
““For a hundred dead stories there still remain one or two living ones. I evoke these with caution, occasionally, not too often, for fear of wearing them out, I fish one out, again I see the scenery, the characters, the attitudes. I stop suddenly: there is a flaw, I have seen a word pierce through the web of sensations. I suppose that this word will soon take the place of several images I love. I must stop quickly and think of something else; I don't want to tire my memories. In vain; the next time I evoke them a good part will be congealed.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Nausea, Jean‑Paul Sartre, 1938
The writer warns that repeatedly recalling vivid memories can erode their richness, turning complex images into a single, overused word.
In simple terms: Repeating memories can flatten them into a single word.
Key Takeaway
Recall memories sparingly to preserve their depth.
Themes
memory
creativity
reflection
artistic process
Mood
contemplative
melancholic
introspective
Type
literary
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- writing
- storytelling
- personal reflection
- memory preservation
Key Concepts
existentialism
subjectivity
language
imagination
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you protect cherished memories from becoming clichés?
- What techniques help maintain vividness in recollection?
A Different Perspective
Overuse of a memory can diminish its nuance and emotional impact.
![“[Stéphane Mallarmé] theory of the hermetic is a mistake, but he can be only difficult to read when he has difficult things to say.” quote by Jean-Paul Sartre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/35f/jean-paul-sartre-220_difficult_st-phane-mallarm-theory-of-the-hermetic_20348.jpg)
