Indifference Quote by Paul Auster
““I gave up trying to be anyone," he said. "The object of my life was to remove myself from my surroundings, to live in a place where nothing could hurt me anymore. One by one, I tried to abandon my attachments, to let go of all the things I ever cared about. The idea was to achieve indifference, an indifference so powerful and sublime that it would protect me from further assault.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The New York Trilogy, 1987
The speaker seeks emotional detachment by abandoning relationships and possessions to become immune to pain.
In simple terms: He wants to become indifferent to avoid hurt.
Key Takeaway
Consider the cost of extreme detachment.
Themes
loneliness
detachment
self‑protection
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
philosophical
literary
psychological
When to use this quote
- grief recovery
- relationship break‑ups
- trauma healing
- spiritual practice
- personal boundaries
Key Concepts
existentialism
nihilism
psychological resilience
Questions to Reflect On
- What would you lose by removing all attachments?
- Can true indifference ever be healthy?
A Different Perspective
Indifference can lead to isolation and loss of meaning.
