--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It was too nerve-wracking, a shocking…" description: "\"It was too nerve-wracking, a shocking spectacle, like seeing an old, calm friend go insane.\" — John Steinbeck" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/952/john-steinbeck-71_calm_it-was-too-nerve-wracking-a-shocking-spe_2041284.jpg" --- # It was too nerve-wracking, a shocking spectacle, like… ![“It was too nerve-wracking, a shocking spectacle, like seeing an old, calm friend go insane.” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/952/john-steinbeck-71_calm_it-was-too-nerve-wracking-a-shocking-spe_2041284.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/952/john-steinbeck-71_calm_it-was-too-nerve-wracking-a-shocking-spe_2041284.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/952/john-steinbeck-71_calm_it-was-too-nerve-wracking-a-shocking-spe_2041284.jpg) > “It was too nerve-wracking, a shocking spectacle, like seeing an old, calm friend go insane.” [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Witnessing a trusted friend’s breakdown feels shocking and unsettling. **In simple terms:** Seeing a friend lose composure is shocking. Key Takeaway Offer empathy and steady support. Themes friendship mental health shock Mood concerned empathetic Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - personal crisis - support groups - family gatherings Key Concepts psychology empathy Questions to Reflect On - How can you support a friend in crisis? - What signs indicate a friend needs help? A Different Perspective Shock can strain relationships if not addressed with care. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Calm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calm/) [Friend Insane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friend-insane-1919272/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Illness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illness/) [Insane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/insane/) [Mental illness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mental-illness/) [Nerve Wracking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nerve-wracking-310308/) [Nerves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nerves/) [Seeing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seeing/) [Shocking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shocking/) [Shocking Spectacle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shocking-spectacle-3800914/) [Wracking Shocking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wracking-shocking-3800915/) ## Related quotes > [I guess I'm insane, it's defined as being foolish or illogical, and I thought you were my best friend, so insane fits nicely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harrison-daniel/i-guess-i-m-insane-it-s-defined-as-being-foolish-or-illogical-and-i/) [Harrison Daniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harrison-daniel/) > [“It was like watching a dear friend go insane.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-larson/it-was-like-watching-a-dear-friend-go-insane/) [Erik Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-larson/) > [It's so nerve-wracking to be on a set. They're the most stressful place in the world, because you're making something permanent, and there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-eisenberg/it-s-so-nerve-wracking-to-be-on-a-set-they-re-the-most-stressful/) [Jesse Eisenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-eisenberg/) > [I wish that the act of publishing a book was less of a nerve-wracking experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-huston/i-wish-that-the-act-of-publishing-a-book-was-less-of-a-nerve-wracking/) [Charlie Huston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-huston/) > [The blind audition process can be nerve-wracking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-aguilera/the-blind-audition-process-can-be-nerve-wracking/) [Christina Aguilera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-aguilera/) > [It's so nerve-wracking to go out into a stadium, feeling a billion eyes upon you when you mess up your touches. That's an overwhelming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donal-logue/it-s-so-nerve-wracking-to-go-out-into-a-stadium-feeling-a-billion/) [Donal Logue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donal-logue/) > [I made a joke with my sister... I said, "I don't know what's more nerve-wracking, job insecurity or job security." There's opportunities and things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliette-lewis/i-made-a-joke-with-my-sister-i-said-i-don-t-know-what-s-more-nerve/) [Juliette Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliette-lewis/) > [I have an unfortunate compulsion. I really would rather not do it, as it is very nerve-wracking and un-fun. But when it works, there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hodgman/i-have-an-unfortunate-compulsion-i-really-would-rather-not-do-it-as/) [John Hodgman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hodgman/) > [With a popular show, you know that there's expectations there, so that's a little nerve-wracking when you're new and you're just trying to find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-ashmore/with-a-popular-show-you-know-that-there-s-expectations-there-so-that/) [Aaron Ashmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-ashmore/) > [I always wanted to be an actor, but with a speech impediment it's kind of tough. I decided to roll the dice and take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-brendon/i-always-wanted-to-be-an-actor-but-with-a-speech-impediment-it-s-kind/) [Nicholas Brendon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-brendon/) > [On the flip side, no one has any idea who the hell I am. I felt like I had to prove myself to them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-franco/on-the-flip-side-no-one-has-any-idea-who-the-hell-i-am-i-felt-like-i/) [Dave Franco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-franco/) > [It is nerve-wracking watching my kids' games.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jordan/it-is-nerve-wracking-watching-my-kids-games/) [Michael Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jordan/) > [The first day working with my father was nerve wracking. I was terrified that I would embarrass him or he would embarrass me and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/the-first-day-working-with-my-father-was-nerve-wracking-i-was/) [Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/) > [I've done my damndest to rip a reader's nerves to rags, I don't want him satisfied.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-ve-done-my-damndest-to-rip-a-reader-s-nerves-to-rags-i-don-t-want/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [It can be nerve wracking if you walk into the interview and you're not sure what to expect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-decurtis/it-can-be-nerve-wracking-if-you-walk-into-the-interview-and-you-re/) [Anthony DeCurtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-decurtis/) ## More by John Steinbeck > [ Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three \[great teachers\] did not… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-the-arts-since-the-medium-is/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [Prayer never brought in no side-meat. Takes a shoat to bring in pork.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/prayer-never-brought-in-no-side-meat-takes-a-shoat-to-bring-in-pork/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“And now submarines are armed with mass murder, our silly, only way of deterring mass murder.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/and-now-submarines-are-armed-with-mass-murder-our-silly-only-way-of/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“I’d think there are degrees of greatness,” Adam said. “I don’t think so,” said Samuel. “That would be like saying there is a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-d-think-there-are-degrees-of-greatness-adam-said-i-don-t-think-so/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“He was forever inventing a new way of doing an old thing and doing it better and quicker, but he never in his whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/he-was-forever-inventing-a-new-way-of-doing-an-old-thing-and-doing-it/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“You come back a changed man. Samuel, you don’t change him. He changes you. I can see the look of him in your face.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/you-come-back-a-changed-man-samuel-you-don-t-change-him-he-changes/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [I find out of long experience that I admire all nations and hate all governments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-find-out-of-long-experience-that-i-admire-all-nations-and-hate-all/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [At about 10 o'clock in the morning the sun threw a bright dust-laden bar through one of the side windows and in and out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/at-about-10-o-clock-in-the-morning-the-sun-threw-a-bright-dust-laden/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [I have noticed that there is no dissatisfaction like that of the rich. Feed a man, clothe him, put him in a good house,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-have-noticed-that-there-is-no-dissatisfaction-like-that-of-the-rich/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“Who in his mind has not probe the dark water?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/who-in-his-mind-has-not-probe-the-dark-water/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [Sometimes, a lie is told in kindness. I don't believe it ever works kindly. The quick pain of truth can pass away, but the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/sometimes-a-lie-is-told-in-kindness-i-don-t-believe-it-ever-works/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [People like you to be something, preferably what they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/people-like-you-to-be-something-preferably-what-they-are/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“Suddenly he knew joy and sorrow felted into one fabric. Courage and fear were one thing too. He found that he had started to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/suddenly-he-knew-joy-and-sorrow-felted-into-one-fabric-courage-and/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [I am writing this from what we Americans call Yurrp. In Yurrp writers are taken as seriously as Lana Turner's legs are in America…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-am-writing-this-from-what-we-americans-call-yurrp-in-yurrp-writers/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [I write because I like to write. I find joy in the texture and tone and rhythm of words. It is a satisfaction like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/i-write-because-i-like-to-write-i-find-joy-in-the-texture-and-tone/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) [Explore all 1,589 John Steinbeck quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) ## More Calm quotes > [Grandma, please. It’s okay. Dad’s doing a great job. I give him kudos for at least being calm and rational, and not losing his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/grandma-please-it-s-okay-dad-s-doing-a-great-job-i-give-him-kudos-for/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“After the storm, reigns the calm.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simdi-onuora/after-the-storm-reigns-the-calm/) [Simdi Onuora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simdi-onuora/) > [So mightiest powers buy deepest calms are fed, And sleep, how oft, in things that gentlest be!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-procter/so-mightiest-powers-buy-deepest-calms-are-fed-and-sleep-how-oft-in/) [Bryan Procter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-procter/) > [KEEP CALM and HAVE A SUGAR CUBE](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/keep-calm-and-have-a-sugar-cube/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [To practice Aikido fully you must calm the spirit and go back to the origin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morihei-ueshiba/to-practice-aikido-fully-you-must-calm-the-spirit-and-go-back-to-the/) [Morihei Ueshiba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morihei-ueshiba/) > [You imagine that I look back on my life's work with calm satisfaction. But from nearby it looks quite different. There is not a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/you-imagine-that-i-look-back-on-my-life-s-work-with-calm-satisfaction/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Don't get divorced after your first argument! I have a lot of friends that have one fight and that's it, they get divorced. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-ripa/don-t-get-divorced-after-your-first-argument-i-have-a-lot-of-friends/) [Kelly Ripa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-ripa/) > [The goal of the operation is to send Gaza back to the Middle Ages, only then will Israel be calm for the next 40 years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ben-ari/the-goal-of-the-operation-is-to-send-gaza-back-to-the-middle-ages/) [Michael Ben-Ari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ben-ari/) > [No physiologist who calmly considers the question in connection with the general truths of his science, can long resist the conviction that different parts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/no-physiologist-who-calmly-considers-the-question-in-connection-with/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [When I was a child I truly loved: Unthinking love as calm and deep As the North Sea. But I have lived, And now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gardner/when-i-was-a-child-i-truly-loved-unthinking-love-as-calm-and-deep-as/) [John Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gardner/) > [~Keep Calm and Swagger On~](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/im-nothing/keep-calm-and-swagger-on/) [Im Nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/im-nothing/) > [Ride your horse calm, forward and then make him straight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-zettl/ride-your-horse-calm-forward-and-then-make-him-straight/) [Walter Zettl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-zettl/) > [Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity, or registering wrongs. With this creed, revenge never worries my heart, degradation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/life-appears-to-me-too-short-to-be-spent-in-nursing-animosity-or/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [Religious work is one of the best ways to keep from facing your reality if you are Christian, if you are using it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-miller/religious-work-is-one-of-the-best-ways-to-keep-from-facing-your/) [Keith Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-miller/) [Browse all 3,074 Calm quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calm/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It was too nerve-wracking, a shocking spectacle, like seeing an old, calm friend go insane.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Steinbeck" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/it-was-too-nerve-wracking-a-shocking-spectacle-like-seeing-an-old/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Calm" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/it-was-too-nerve-wracking-a-shocking-spectacle-like-seeing-an-old/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/952/john-steinbeck-71_calm_it-was-too-nerve-wracking-a-shocking-spe_2041284.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/952/john-steinbeck-71_calm_it-was-too-nerve-wracking-a-shocking-spe_2041284.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/952/john-steinbeck-71_calm_it-was-too-nerve-wracking-a-shocking-spe_2041284.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It was too nerve-wracking, a shocking spectacle, like seeing an old, calm friend go insane.” — John Steinbeck", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John Steinbeck", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It was too nerve-wracking, a shocking...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/it-was-too-nerve-wracking-a-shocking-spectacle-like-seeing-an-old/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/it-was-too-nerve-wracking-a-shocking-spectacle-like-seeing-an-old/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```