--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He thought back to the first moment in…" description: "\"“He thought back to the first moment in Hong Kong when he had wanted her and recoiled. That, perhaps, was when his poles had shifted. Missing the small..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/47f/meredith-duran-2968_hong-kong_he-thought-back-to-the-first-moment-in-h_808617.jpg" --- # He thought back to the first moment in Hong Kong when he… ![“He thought back to the first moment in Hong Kong when he had wanted her and recoiled. That, perhaps, was when his poles had shifted. Missing the small signs, focused on other aims, he had reviled himself for wayward urges, mistaking them as signs of his own weakness. Had he realized then that she…” quote by Meredith Duran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/47f/meredith-duran-2968_hong-kong_he-thought-back-to-the-first-moment-in-h_808617.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/47f/meredith-duran-2968_hong-kong_he-thought-back-to-the-first-moment-in-h_808617.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/47f/meredith-duran-2968_hong-kong_he-thought-back-to-the-first-moment-in-h_808617.jpg) > ““He thought back to the first moment in Hong Kong when he had wanted her and recoiled. That, perhaps, was when his poles had shifted. Missing the small signs, focused on other aims, he had reviled himself for wayward urges, mistaking them as signs of his own weakness. Had he realized then that she was well worth wanting, he might have found the courage to do what came to her so naturally: to look around a locked room, and see opportunities worth breaking windows for.”” [Meredith Duran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meredith-duran/) ## 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 reflects on a missed opportunity caused by self‑doubt and misreading signals, realizing that true desire can be obscured by fear and self‑criticism. **In simple terms:** Missing chances due to fear and misinterpretation. Key Takeaway Recognize and act on genuine desire despite inner doubts. Themes desire self‑doubt opportunity courage Mood reflective melancholic hopeful Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - romantic pursuit - career decision - personal growth - creative projects Key Concepts psychology human relationships self‑awareness Questions to Reflect On - What signals have you ignored because of fear? - How can you differentiate true desire from imagined weakness? A Different Perspective Self‑criticism can paralyze action and lead to regret. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Hong kong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hong-kong/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [The deepest repentance and humility and our own frailty and weakness must be realized before we can know God's strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-bartleman/the-deepest-repentance-and-humility-and-our-own-frailty-and-weakness/) [Frank Bartleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-bartleman/) > [Personally, I prefer contemporary films, but the market calls for more period choices, especially since China opened up a cinema market in Hong Kong.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/personally-i-prefer-contemporary-films-but-the-market-calls-for-more/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [“I know you come from big spenders, but I could put you on a private jet tonight, fly us to Paris for a shopping…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsay-delagair/i-know-you-come-from-big-spenders-but-i-could-put-you-on-a-private/) [Lindsay Delagair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsay-delagair/) > [We enjoy a considerable net inflow of capital and I am sure that a condition of its coming, and staying, is that it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-james-cowperthwaite/we-enjoy-a-considerable-net-inflow-of-capital-and-i-am-sure-that-a/) [John James Cowperthwaite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-james-cowperthwaite/) > [“If overpopulation or lack of resources created poverty, then Hong Kong should be poor. 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