Attributes Quote by Joris-Karl Huysmans
“At a period when Literature was wont to attribute the grief of living exclusively to the mischances of disappointed love or the jealousy of adulterous deceptions, he had said not a word of these childish maladies, but had sounded those more incurable, more poignant and more profound: wounds that are inflicted by satiety, disillusion and contempt in ruined souls tortured by the present, disgusted with the past, terrified and desperate of the future.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: À rebours, Joris‑Karl Huysmans, 1884
The quote describes deep existential wounds caused by emptiness, disillusion, and contempt, beyond ordinary romantic sorrow.
In simple terms: Profound despair stems from meaninglessness and cynicism.
Key Takeaway
Seek purpose and authentic connection to counter existential emptiness.
Themes
existentialism
despair
modernity
psychology
literature
Mood
melancholic
introspective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal crisis
- mental health counseling
- philosophical study
- creative writing
Key Concepts
nihilism
alienation
spiritual crisis
Questions to Reflect On
- What gives life meaning beyond despair?
- How can one transform contempt into compassion?
A Different Perspective
Such bleak focus may overlook hope and resilience.
