Didn Believe Quote by Nick Burd
““For some reason I didn't believe it. I don't know why. Maybe it was because my father was the kind of person who told himself things over and over until he believed them, who could justify almost anything. What I wanted was for it to really be okay. I wanted him to really not care, to maybe even be happy about it. Instead he was acting like I was making a bad career choice, like I was passing up an English degree at Fairmont in favor of a bartending certificate at the local community college.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Marriage Plot by Nick Burd, 2011
A father’s self‑justifying narratives shape expectations; the child seeks approval yet fears disappointment.
In simple terms: Parental expectations shape self‑doubt.
Key Takeaway
Seek own validation, not parental approval.
Themes
family
expectations
self‑doubt
Mood
conflicted
hopeful
Type
literary
psychological
When to use this quote
- college decisions
- family conflict
Key Concepts
parental influence
career choices
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you redefine success for yourself?
- What does “okay” truly mean to you?
A Different Perspective
Parental pressure may limit personal exploration.
![“He [Groucho's father] had absolutely no training, and if you had ever seen one of his suits, you'd realize what an accurate statement that is. You see, Pop never used a tape measure. He didn't believe in it. He said he could just look at a man and tell hi.” quote by Groucho Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/02f/groucho-marx-788_accurate_he-groucho-s-father-had-absolutely-no-tr_22161.jpg)
