Faith Quote by Joseph Conrad
““I felt suddenly that 'this sort of thing' would kill me. The definition of the cause was vague, but the thought itself was no mere morbid artificiality of sentiment but a genuine conviction. 'That sort of thing' was what I would have to die from. It wouldn't be from the innumerable doubts. Any sort of certitude would be also deadly. It wouldn't be from a stab—a kiss would kill me as surely. It would not be from a frown or from any particular word or any particular act—but from having to bear them all, together and in succession—from having to live with 'that sort of thing.' About the time I finished with my neck-tie I had done with life too.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Secret Agent, 1907
The narrator feels overwhelmed by an undefined, pervasive dread that seems capable of destroying him, more than any single event or doubt.
In simple terms: A vague, all‑encompassing fear feels fatal.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and confront vague anxieties before they dominate.
Themes
existential dread
psychological burden
overwhelm
nihilism
Mood
anxious
melancholic
introspective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal crisis
- mental health struggles
- creative burnout
- relationship tension
Key Concepts
absurdism
existentialism
psychological realism
Questions to Reflect On
- What vague fears are you allowing to dictate your life?
- How can you differentiate between productive caution and paralyzing dread?
A Different Perspective
The abstract nature of the fear may be a literary device, not a literal condition.
