Failure Quote by Paul Auster
““Quinn froze. There was nothing he could do now that would not be a mistake. Whatever choice he made--and he had to make a choice--would be arbitrary, a submission to chance. Uncertainty would haunt him to the end. At that moment, the two Stillmans started on their way again. The first turned right, the second turned left. Quin craved an amoeba's body, wanting to cut himself in half and run off in two directions at once. (Chapter 7)””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The New York Trilogy, 1987,Chapter 7)
Facing inevitable uncertainty, a character feels trapped between arbitrary choices, fearing endless doubt.
In simple terms: Uncertainty makes decisions feel meaningless.
Key Takeaway
Accept uncertainty and act despite fear.
Themes
uncertainty
choice
existential dread
paralysis
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career decisions
- personal relationships
- creative projects
Key Concepts
existentialism
free will
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you cope with unavoidable uncertainty?
- When is inlessness acceptable?
A Different Perspective
Paralysis can prevent progress; sometimes action despite doubt is necessary.
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