Believe Quote by Jeffrey Eugenides
“Emotions, in my experience aren't covered by single words. I don't believe in "sadness," "joy," or "regret." I'd like to have at my disposal complicated hybrid emotions, Germanic traincar constructions like, say, "the happiness that attends disaster." Or: "the disappointment of sleeping with one's fantasy." ... I'd like to have a word for "the sadness inspired by failing restaurants" as well as for "the excitement of getting a room with a minibar." I've never had the right words to describe my life...”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, "The Art of Feeling", 2015
The author argues that language often lacks terms for complex, mixed emotions, prompting a desire for richer vocabulary to capture nuanced feelings.
In simple terms: Words miss many mixed emotions.
Key Takeaway
Create or adopt terms for hybrid feelings.
Themes
language
emotion
expression
Mood
reflective
curious
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- writing
- therapy
- interpersonal communication
- artistic description
Key Concepts
psychology
semantics
lexicography
Questions to Reflect On
- What hybrid emotion have you felt recently?
- How could a new word change your perception of that feeling?
A Different Perspective
Complex emotions may still be hard to convey even with new words.
