Looking for sympathy Quote by Michael Cunningham
““Oh, pride, pride. I was so wrong. It defeated me. It simply proved insurmountable. There was so much, oh, far too much for me. I mean, there's the weather, there's the water and the land, there are the animals, and the buildings, and the past and the future, there's space, there's history. There's this thread or something caught between my teeth, there's the old woman across the way, did you notice she switched the donkey and the squirrel on her windowsill? And, of course, there's time. And place. And there's you, Mrs. D. I wanted to tell part of the story of part of you. Oh, I'd love to have done that." "Richard. You wrote a whole book." "But everything's left out of it, almost everything. And then I just stuck on a shock ending. Oh, now, I'm not looking for sympathy, really. We want so much, don't we?" "Yes. I suppose we do." "You kissed me beside a pond." "Ten thousand years ago." "It's still happening.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Hours by Michael Cunningham, 1998
The speaker reflects on overwhelming pride and the myriad aspects of existence, feeling trapped and yearning for connection.
In simple terms: Pride overwhelms, life feels chaotic, longing for meaning.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and temper pride.
Themes
pride
existential angst
connection
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- therapy
- writing
- relationship building
- mindfulness
Key Concepts
psychology
literary introspection
Questions to Reflect On
- What parts of life feel out of control?
- How can humility restore balance?
A Different Perspective
Pride can blind self-awareness.
