--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Had any one dared to say this truth to me…" description: "\"“Had any one dared to say this truth to me then, I should have bade him go and preach nonsense to children,—but now,—when I recall those white leaves o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c95/marie-corelli-7507_egoism_had-any-one-dared-to-say-this-truth-to-m_2223628.jpg" --- # Had any one dared to say this truth to me then, I should… ![“Had any one dared to say this truth to me then, I should have bade him go and preach nonsense to children,—but now,—when I recall those white leaves of days that were unrolled before me fresh and blank with every sunrise, and with which I did nothing save scrawl my own Ego in a foul smudge across…” quote by Marie Corelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c95/marie-corelli-7507_egoism_had-any-one-dared-to-say-this-truth-to-m_2223628.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c95/marie-corelli-7507_egoism_had-any-one-dared-to-say-this-truth-to-m_2223628.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c95/marie-corelli-7507_egoism_had-any-one-dared-to-say-this-truth-to-m_2223628.jpg) > ““Had any one dared to say this truth to me then, I should have bade him go and preach nonsense to children,—but now,—when I recall those white leaves of days that were unrolled before me fresh and blank with every sunrise, and with which I did nothing save scrawl my own Ego in a foul smudge across each one, I tremble, and inwardly pray that I may never be forced to send back my self-written record!”” [Marie Corelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-corelli/) ## 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 regrets selfishly marking his life with ego, fearing that his self‑authored story will be judged or erased. **In simple terms:** He fears his ego will ruin his life's narrative. Key Takeaway Live with humility and let go of ego‑driven self‑judgment. Themes ego regret humility Mood melancholic contemplative Type literary reflective When to use this quote - personal journaling - spiritual practice - creative writing - therapy sessions Key Concepts self‑reflection existentialism authenticity Questions to Reflect On - What ego‑driven habits hold you back? - How can you rewrite your story more compassionately? A Different Perspective Self‑criticism can become paralyzing, preventing growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Egoism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/egoism/) [Faustian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faustian/) [Sunrise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sunrise/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [“If there were a man who dared to say all that he thought of this world there would not be left him a square…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/if-there-were-a-man-who-dared-to-say-all-that-he-thought-of-this/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) > [“She disliked him more for having mastered her inner will. 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No one can take my work from me and therefore no one can take my happiness from me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-corelli/work-is-happiness-no-one-can-take-my-work-from-me-and-therefore-no/) [Marie Corelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-corelli/) > [“The finest actor is he who play the comedy of life perfectly, as i aspire to do. To walk well, talk well, weep well,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-corelli/the-finest-actor-is-he-who-play-the-comedy-of-life-perfectly-as-i/) [Marie Corelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-corelli/) > [Nothing is so deceptive as human reasoning, - nothing so slippery and reversible as what we have decided to call 'logic.' The truest compass…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-corelli/nothing-is-so-deceptive-as-human-reasoning-nothing-so-slippery-and/) [Marie Corelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-corelli/) > [“So you are tired of your life, young man! All the more reason have you to live. Anyone can die. 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