Adults Quote by Lydia Millet
““It was them and not them, maybe the ones they’d never been. I could almost see those others standing in the garden where the pea plants were, feet planted between the rows. They stood without moving, their faces glowing with some shine a long time gone. A time before I lived. Their arms hung at their sides. They’d always been there, I thought blearily, and they’d always wanted to be more than they were. They should always be thought of as invalids, I saw. Each person, fully grown, was sick or sad, with problems attached to them like broken limbs. Each one had special needs. If you could remember that, it made you less angry. They’d been carried along on their hopes, held up by the chance of a windfall. But instead of a windfall there was only time passing. And all they ever were was themselves. Still they had wanted to be different. I would assume that from now on, I told myself, wandering back into the barn. What people wanted to be, but never could, traveled along beside them. Company.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Lifeguard, Lydia Millet, 2022
The passage reflects on how everyone carries hidden struggles and unfulfilled desires, urging empathy and recognizing shared humanity.
In simple terms: People have hidden pains and unfulfilled dreams.
Key Takeaway
Recognize others' hidden struggles.
Themes
empathy
humanity
unfulfilled desires
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- mental health awareness
- supportive counseling
Key Concepts
psychology
existential reflection
social alienation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you acknowledge unseen struggles?
- What does it mean to be “more than they were”?
A Different Perspective
Not all pain is visible; some may resist help.
![“He [an earnest young reporter] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be art, the object of children's books is to whip the little rascals into shape.” quote by Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2cf/katherine-paterson-2365_adults_he-an-earnest-young-reporter-seemed-to-s_6101.jpg)
