--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was a child... I was watching a…" description: "\"When I was a child... I was watching a snowstorm, and hopefully asked, 'Momma, do we believe in winter?'\" — Philip Roth" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a4/philip-roth-681_believe_when-i-was-a-child-i-was-watching-a-snow_1193743.jpg" --- # When I was a child... I was watching a snowstorm, and… ![“When I was a child... I was watching a snowstorm, and hopefully asked, 'Momma, do we believe in winter?'” quote by Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a4/philip-roth-681_believe_when-i-was-a-child-i-was-watching-a-snow_1193743.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a4/philip-roth-681_believe_when-i-was-a-child-i-was-watching-a-snow_1193743.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a4/philip-roth-681_believe_when-i-was-a-child-i-was-watching-a-snow_1193743.jpg) > “When I was a child... I was watching a snowstorm, and hopefully asked, 'Momma, do we believe in winter?'” [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A child questions the reality of seasons, reflecting doubt about what is taken for granted. **In simple terms:** Child wonders if winter is real. Key Takeaway Accept uncertainty and explore belief. Themes curiosity faith perception Mood thoughtful reflective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - parental guidance - educational discussions - philosophical debates Key Concepts existential doubt childhood wonder Questions to Reflect On - What assumptions do you question? - How does doubt shape understanding? A Different Perspective Skepticism can limit appreciation of experience. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Flower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flower/) [Snowstorms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/snowstorms/) [Winter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winter/) ## Related quotes > [“It’s a family joke that when I was a tiny child I turned from the window out of which I was watching a snowstorm,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/it-s-a-family-joke-that-when-i-was-a-tiny-child-i-turned-from-the/) [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) > [The smallest snowstorm on record took place an hour ago in my back yard. It was approximately two flakes. I waited for more to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-brautigan/the-smallest-snowstorm-on-record-took-place-an-hour-ago-in-my-back/) [Richard Brautigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-brautigan/) > [The Northeast is being hit with a major snowstorm. Forecasters said they've haven't seen a whiteout like this since last week's Oscar nominations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conan-o-brien/the-northeast-is-being-hit-with-a-major-snowstorm-forecasters-said/) [Conan O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conan-o-brien/) > [Tongues wrangled dark at a man. He buttoned his overcoat and stood alone. In a snowstorm, red hollyberries, thoughts, he stood alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sandburg/tongues-wrangled-dark-at-a-man-he-buttoned-his-overcoat-and-stood/) [Carl Sandburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sandburg/) > [Is it Nice in your snowstorm- freezing your brain? Do you think that your face looks the same?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bowie/is-it-nice-in-your-snowstorm-freezing-your-brain-do-you-think-that/) [David Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bowie/) > [I always enjoyed the hearty society of a snowstorm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/i-always-enjoyed-the-hearty-society-of-a-snowstorm/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [A student undergoing a word association test was asked why a snowstorm put him in mind of sex. He replied frankly: "Because everything does."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-tracy/a-student-undergoing-a-word-association-test-was-asked-why-a/) Honor Tracy > [After a snowstorm is the best time to be in the woods, because all the empty beer and soda cans and candy wrappers disappear,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-rifka-brunt/after-a-snowstorm-is-the-best-time-to-be-in-the-woods-because-all-the/) [Carol Rifka Brunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-rifka-brunt/) > [Its crazy cause I don't even know when you became so important to me its like watching a snowstorm you see the flakes falling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/talyiah/its-crazy-cause-i-don-t-even-know-when-you-became-so-important-to-me/) [Talyiah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/talyiah/) > [I believe in process. I believe in four seasons. I believe that winter's tough, but spring's coming. I believe that there's a growing season.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-southerland/i-believe-in-process-i-believe-in-four-seasons-i-believe-that-winter/) [Steve Southerland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-southerland/) > [If winter should say, 'Spring is in my heart,' who would believe winter?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/if-winter-should-say-spring-is-in-my-heart-who-would-believe-winter/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [“If I didn't know better,I'd think she arranged this snowstorm just so we'd all have to stay indoors for a while.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/if-i-didn-t-know-better-i-d-think-she-arranged-this-snowstorm-just-so/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [Pigpen, youre the only person I know who can raise a cloud of dust in the snowstorm. Charlie Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-brown-christmas/pigpen-youre-the-only-person-i-know-who-can-raise-a-cloud-of-dust-in/) [Charlie Brown Christmas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-brown-christmas/) > [The scariest part of this snowstorm is that it'll be cleaned up in time for work on Monday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-scariest-part-of-this-snowstorm-is-that-it-ll-be-cleaned-up-in/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“There are easy ways to bring back summer in the snowstorm”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-aciman/there-are-easy-ways-to-bring-back-summer-in-the-snowstorm/) [André Aciman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-aciman/) ## More by Philip Roth > [“The old intergenerational give-and-take of the country-that-used-to-be, when everyone knew his role and took the rules dead seriously, the acculturating back-and-forth that all of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/the-old-intergenerational-give-and-take-of-the-country-that-used-to/) [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) > [You be greater than your feelings. I don't demand this of you - life does. Otherwise you'll be washed away by feelings. You'll be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/you-be-greater-than-your-feelings-i-don-t-demand-this-of-you-life/) [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) > [Nothing bad can happen to a writer. Everything is material.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/nothing-bad-can-happen-to-a-writer-everything-is-material/) [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) > [The only way to have a funeral is to invite everyone who ever knew the person and just wait for the accident to happen-somebody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/the-only-way-to-have-a-funeral-is-to-invite-everyone-who-ever-knew/) [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) > [To become a celebrity is to become a brand name. There is Ivory Soap, Rice Krispies, and Philip Roth. Ivory is the soap that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/to-become-a-celebrity-is-to-become-a-brand-name-there-is-ivory-soap/) [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) > [“There are no reasons. She is obliged to be as she is. We all are. Reasons are in books.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/there-are-no-reasons-she-is-obliged-to-be-as-she-is-we-all-are/) [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) > [“As far as I can see there is no conquering or exorcising the past with words - words born either of imagination or forthrightness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/as-far-as-i-can-see-there-is-no-conquering-or-exorcising-the-past/) [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) > [The book really comes to life in the rewriting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/the-book-really-comes-to-life-in-the-rewriting/) [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) > [“What is astonishing is that we, who had no idea how anything was going to turn out, now know exactly what happened.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/what-is-astonishing-is-that-we-who-had-no-idea-how-anything-was-going/) [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) > [“Good Christ, a Jewish man with parents alive is a fifteen-year-old boy, and will remain a fifteen-year-old boy till they die!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/good-christ-a-jewish-man-with-parents-alive-is-a-fifteen-year-old-boy/) [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) > [I am the Raskolnikov of jerking off – the sticky evidence is everywhere!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/i-am-the-raskolnikov-of-jerking-off-the-sticky-evidence-is-everywhere/) [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) > [“Better for real things to be uncontrollable, better for one's life to be undecipherable and intellectually impenetrable than to attempt to make casual sense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/better-for-real-things-to-be-uncontrollable-better-for-one-s-life-to/) [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) > [“Doctor Spielvogel, it alleviates nothing fixing the blame - blaming is still ailing, of course, of course - but nonetheless, what was it with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/doctor-spielvogel-it-alleviates-nothing-fixing-the-blame-blaming-is/) [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) > [My God! The English language is a form of communication! Conversation isn't just crossfire where you shoot and get shot at! Where you've got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/my-god-the-english-language-is-a-form-of-communication-conversation/) [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) > [You asked if I thought my fiction had changed anything in the culture and the answer is no. Sure, there's been some scandal, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/you-asked-if-i-thought-my-fiction-had-changed-anything-in-the-culture/) [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) [Explore all 388 Philip Roth quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) ## More Believe quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [The truth seems to be that propaganda on its own cannot force its way into unwilling minds; neither can it inculcate something wholly new;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-truth-seems-to-be-that-propaganda-on-its-own-cannot-force-its-way/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/) [Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/bush-reiterated-his-stand-to-conservatives-opposing-his-decision-on/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/) [Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/) > [To believe in love, to be ready to give up anything for it, to be willing to risk your life for it, is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/to-believe-in-love-to-be-ready-to-give-up-anything-for-it-to-be/) [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/) > [That's why I don't generally talk about endorsements because I don't believe we have to tell people who to vote for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/that-s-why-i-don-t-generally-talk-about-endorsements-because-i-don-t/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [Mankind have been slow to believe that order reigns in the universe-that the world is a cosmos and a chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/mankind-have-been-slow-to-believe-that-order-reigns-in-the-universe/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [We instantly believe everything we think. Isn't that insane? It's good for us to explore the depravity of our minds, so we know we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krishna-das/we-instantly-believe-everything-we-think-isn-t-that-insane-it-s-good/) [Krishna Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krishna-das/) Browse all 47,704 Believe quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I was a child... 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