Able Quote by Julian Barnes
“There is a German word, Sehnsucht, which has no English equivalent; it means 'the longing for something'. It has Romantic and mystical connotations; C.S. Lewis defined it as the 'inconsolable longing' in the human heart for 'we know not what'. It seems rather German to be able to specify the unspecifiable. The longing for something - or, in our case, for someone.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The New Yorker, “The German Word Sehnsucht”, 2015
A deep, unnameable yearning that cannot be fully expressed in English, often tied to longing for an unknown or distant ideal.
In simple terms: A profound, indescribable longing.
Key Takeaway
Embrace the mystery of your yearning.
Themes
longing
romanticism
existential
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
philosophical
poetic
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- personal reflection
- relationship yearning
- spiritual searching
Key Concepts
Sehnsucht
inconsolable longing
mystical connotation
Questions to Reflect On
- What does your Sehnsucht reveal about your deepest desires?
- How can you honor this longing without becoming lost in it?
A Different Perspective
The feeling may be vague and hard to act upon.
