--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I felt suddenly that 'this sort of thing'…" description: "\"“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 artificialit..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62d/joseph-conrad-336_faith_i-felt-suddenly-that-this-sort-of-thing_2793993.jpg" --- # I felt suddenly that 'this sort of thing' would kill me… ![“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…” quote by Joseph Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62d/joseph-conrad-336_faith_i-felt-suddenly-that-this-sort-of-thing_2793993.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62d/joseph-conrad-336_faith_i-felt-suddenly-that-this-sort-of-thing_2793993.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62d/joseph-conrad-336_faith_i-felt-suddenly-that-this-sort-of-thing_2793993.jpg) > ““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.”” [Joseph Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-conrad/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. 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? 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