Choice Quote by Nathan Hill
““And do you want to marry him?" "Maybe. I don't know." "That kind of indifference usually means no." "It's not indifference. I just haven't made up my mind." "Either you want to marry him more than anything in the world, or you say no. It's very simple." "It's not simple," Faye said. "Not at all. You don't understand." "So explain it to me." "Okay, here's what it's like. Imagine you're feeling desperately thirsty. Like insanely thirsty. All you can think about is a big tall glass of water. Got it?" "Got it." "And you fantasize about this big tall glass of water, and the fantasy is really vivid in your head, but it does not actually quench your thirst." "Because you can't drink the imaginary glass of water." "Right. So you look around and see this murky, oily puddle of water and mud. It's not exactly the tall glass of water but it does have the advantage of being wet. It's real, whereas the tall glass of water is not. And so you choose the oily mud puddle, even though it's not really what you'd prefer.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Love Song of Miss Queenie, Nathan Hill, 2013
Indifference can mask deeper uncertainty; true commitment requires confronting the discomfort of desire versus avoidance.
In simple terms: Indifference often hides real uncertainty.
Clarify true feelings before deciding.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- dating
- marriage counseling
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the “mud puddle” represent in your choices?
- How can you distinguish genuine desire from fear?
Choosing a lesser option may satisfy immediate need but not long‑term desire.