Customs Quote by John Steinbeck
“I have never smuggled anything in my life. Why, then, do I feel an uneasy sense of guilt on approaching a customs barrier?”
About This Quote
Source Novel: East of Eden, John Steinbeck, 1952
The narrator feels guilt despite never having broken the law, highlighting internal moral conflict when confronting authority.
In simple terms: Feeling guilty even when innocent.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and examine hidden anxieties.
Themes
guilt
authority
morality
Mood
reflective
uneasy
Type
literary
psychological
When to use this quote
- travel
- customs checks
- legal compliance
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
psychology
ethical introspection
Questions to Reflect On
- Why does authority trigger guilt?
- What does this reveal about personal values?
A Different Perspective
Guilt may stem from societal conditioning, not actual wrongdoing.
![“Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three [great teachers] did not tell - they catalyzed a burning desire to know. Under their influence, the horizons sprung wide and fear went away and the unknown became knowable. But most important of…” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/84c/john-steinbeck-71_art_teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-t_1738.jpg)
