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Regret Quote by Neil Gaiman

“We do not always remember the things that do no credit to us. We justify them, cover them in bright lies or with the thick dust of forgetfulness. All of the things that Shadow had done in his life of which he was not proud, all the things he wished he had done otherwise or left undone, came at him…” quote by Neil Gaiman
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““We do not always remember the things that do no credit to us. We justify them, cover them in bright lies or with the thick dust of forgetfulness. All of the things that Shadow had done in his life of which he was not proud, all the things he wished he had done otherwise or left undone, came at him then in a swirling storm of guilt and regret and shame, and he had nowhere to hide from them.””

Neil Gaiman

About This Quote

Source Novel: The Sandman, Volume 5, 1990

Unaddressed guilt resurfaces as overwhelming regret, forcing confrontation with past failures.

In simple terms: Ignoring guilt leads to shame.

Key Takeaway

Face past actions honestly.

Themes

guilt regret self‑reflection

Mood

somber introspective

Type

literary psychological

When to use this quote

  • therapy
  • journaling
  • confessional writing
  • personal accountability

Key Concepts

psychological burden moral reckoning

Questions to Reflect On

  • What past mistake still haunts you?
  • How can you transform shame into learning?
A Different Perspective

Denial can delay growth.

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