Anxiety Quote by Jose Saramago
“...sometimes we ask ourselves why happiness took so long to arrive, why it didn't come sooner, but appears suddenly, as now, when we've given up hope of it ever arriving, it's likely then that we won't know what to do, and rather than it being a question of choosing between laughter and tears, we will be filled by a secret anxiety to which we might not know how to respond at all.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Blindness by José Saramago, 1995
Happiness may arrive unexpectedly after we stop yearning for it, but it can also bring anxiety we’re unprepared to handle.
In simple terms: Happiness can be sudden and unsettling.
Key Takeaway
Embrace happiness while staying mindful of its challenges.
Themes
happiness
expectation
anxiety
Mood
contemplative
melancholic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal loss
- career achievement
- relationship milestones
- spiritual awakening
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What hidden anxieties arise when you finally feel happy?
- How can you prepare for sudden joy?
A Different Perspective
Joy can be destabilizing if not integrated with self‑awareness.
