--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It seemed that digression was the true…" description: "\"“It seemed that digression was the true principle of the universe, that the only real subject was the way the subject kept changing.”\" — Salman Rushdie" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed3/salman-rushdie-153_digression_it-seemed-that-digression-was-the-true-p_2579524.jpg" --- # It seemed that digression was the true principle of the… ![“It seemed that digression was the true principle of the universe, that the only real subject was the way the subject kept changing.” quote by Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed3/salman-rushdie-153_digression_it-seemed-that-digression-was-the-true-p_2579524.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed3/salman-rushdie-153_digression_it-seemed-that-digression-was-the-true-p_2579524.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed3/salman-rushdie-153_digression_it-seemed-that-digression-was-the-true-p_2579524.jpg) > ““It seemed that digression was the true principle of the universe, that the only real subject was the way the subject kept changing.”” [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Suggests that constant change is the universe’s core, making static truths elusive. **In simple terms:** Change is the only constant. Key Takeaway Embrace adaptability and fluid thinking. Themes change philosophy universe impermanence truth Mood thoughtful philosophical inquisitive Type literary reflective analytical When to use this quote - personal growth - scientific research - creative work Key Concepts metaphysics literary theory Questions to Reflect On - How do you handle unexpected changes? - What beliefs have you revised over time? A Different Perspective Resistance to change can cause stagnation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Digression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/digression/) ## Related quotes > [If you say to the universe again and again, "How may I serve? How may I serve? How may I serve?" and you live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/if-you-say-to-the-universe-again-and-again-how-may-i-serve-how-may-i/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [I have deep faith that the principle of the universe will be beautiful and simple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/i-have-deep-faith-that-the-principle-of-the-universe-will-be/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Einstein was always looking for a unifying principle for the universe. I think anxiety about hair is the unifying principle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-sawyer/einstein-was-always-looking-for-a-unifying-principle-for-the-universe/) [Diane Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-sawyer/) > [Mind exists as a Principle in the universe, just as electricity exists as a principle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-holmes/mind-exists-as-a-principle-in-the-universe-just-as-electricity-exists/) [Ernest Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-holmes/) > [You may take this as a general and central principle in criticism: that all science, literature or song, which recognizes conscious life as the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-everett-hale/you-may-take-this-as-a-general-and-central-principle-in-criticism/) [Edward Everett Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-everett-hale/) > [The true principle of taxation is the benefit principle - those who benefit from a government service should pay for it. It's also known…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-skousen/the-true-principle-of-taxation-is-the-benefit-principle-those-who/) [Mark Skousen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-skousen/) > [He that upon a true principle lives, without any disquiet of thought, may be said to be happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-l-estrange/he-that-upon-a-true-principle-lives-without-any-disquiet-of-thought/) [Roger L'Estrange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-l-estrange/) > [“ 'How a mother can look at her baby, and know that she lives beyond her husband's means, I cannot imagine.' " "Eugene suggests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/how-a-mother-can-look-at-her-baby-and-know-that-she-lives-beyond-her/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [Liberty, equality - bad principles! The only true principle for humanity is justice; and justice to the feeble is protection and kindness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-frederic-amiel/liberty-equality-bad-principles-the-only-true-principle-for-humanity/) [Henri Frederic Amiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-frederic-amiel/) > [The 80/20 principle - that 80 percent of result flow from just 20 per cent of the causes - is the one true principle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-koch/the-80-20-principle-that-80-percent-of-result-flow-from-just-20-per/) [Richard Koch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-koch/) > [The true principle of a republic is that the people should choose whom they please to govern them. Representation is imperfect, in proportion as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/the-true-principle-of-a-republic-is-that-the-people-should-choose/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [A true principle makes decisions clear even under the most confusing and challenging circumstances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-g-scott/a-true-principle-makes-decisions-clear-even-under-the-most-confusing/) [Richard G. Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-g-scott/) > [The true principle of government is this - make the system compleat in its structure; give a perfect proportion and balance to its parts;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/the-true-principle-of-government-is-this-make-the-system-compleat-in/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [Can we consider the universe real, and if so, in what way?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/can-we-consider-the-universe-real-and-if-so-in-what-way/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [“For millenia, scientists always try to measure the size of this vast universe. One way to know that is first to find the smallest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/for-millenia-scientists-always-try-to-measure-the-size-of-this-vast/) [Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/) ## More by Salman Rushdie > [If my child had prejudice in his head, I'd be ashamed. I would see it as my failure as a parent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/if-my-child-had-prejudice-in-his-head-i-d-be-ashamed-i-would-see-it/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [It's a terrible thing that your life turns into a good story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/it-s-a-terrible-thing-that-your-life-turns-into-a-good-story/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [Sometimes by a woodland stream he watched the water rush over the pebbled bed, its tiny modulations of bounce and flow. A woman's body…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/sometimes-by-a-woodland-stream-he-watched-the-water-rush-over-the/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [I want to write novels. I want to write stories. I want to do the stuff that I became a writer to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/i-want-to-write-novels-i-want-to-write-stories-i-want-to-do-the-stuff/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [If you want to be a serious writer, then you have to write what there is to write about. If you're going to pull…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/if-you-want-to-be-a-serious-writer-then-you-have-to-write-what-there/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [“Después de exigir mi marcha, ya no posees jurisdicción en lo concerniente a mi salud.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/despu-s-de-exigir-mi-marcha-ya-no-posees-jurisdicci-n-en-lo/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [If there is a choice between absolute safety and freedom, then freedom must always prevail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/if-there-is-a-choice-between-absolute-safety-and-freedom-then-freedom/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [I'm not a prophet, but I always thought it was natural for dictatorships to fall. I remember in 1989, two months before the fall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/i-m-not-a-prophet-but-i-always-thought-it-was-natural-for/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [I'd wanted to create a storm so that I could become more famous and richer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/i-d-wanted-to-create-a-storm-so-that-i-could-become-more-famous-and/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [Who what am I? My answer: I am the sum total of everything that went before me, of all I have been seen done,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/who-what-am-i-my-answer-i-am-the-sum-total-of-everything-that-went/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [“...proving once again that there was no escape from recurrence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/proving-once-again-that-there-was-no-escape-from-recurrence/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [“information, in a stream-of-consciousness soliloquy that revealed the extent to which he had internalised the adversarial fragmentation of American culture and made it a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/information-in-a-stream-of-consciousness-soliloquy-that-revealed-the/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [A little bit of one story joins onto an idea from another, and hey presto, . . . not old tales but new ones.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/a-little-bit-of-one-story-joins-onto-an-idea-from-another-and-hey/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [I'm a novelist. Fortunately I don't have to rule the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/i-m-a-novelist-fortunately-i-don-t-have-to-rule-the-world/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [The First Amendment defends all forms of speech including hate speech, which is why groups like Ku Klux Klan are allowed to utter their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/the-first-amendment-defends-all-forms-of-speech-including-hate-speech/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) [Explore all 1,087 Salman Rushdie quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) ## More Digression quotes > [“The real secret, though, is that nobody belongs, whether they are natives or not. After expulsion from paradise all humans are in exile. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrei-codrescu/the-real-secret-though-is-that-nobody-belongs-whether-they-are/) [Andrei Codrescu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrei-codrescu/) > [“(This is not a digression.)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-k-jemisin/this-is-not-a-digression/) [N.K. Jemisin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-k-jemisin/) > [“the feeling of being a digression not the link in the argument, a new direction, an offshoot, the limb going on elsewhere, and liking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorie-graham/the-feeling-of-being-a-digression-not-the-link-in-the-argument-a-new/) [Jorie Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorie-graham/) > [Digression is the soul of wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/digression-is-the-soul-of-wit/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [The inclination to digress is human. But the dramatist must avoid it even more strenuously than the saint must avoid sin, for while sin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/the-inclination-to-digress-is-human-but-the-dramatist-must-avoid-it/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [“That digression business got on my nerves. I don't now. The trouble with me is, I like it when somebody digresses. It's more interesting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-salinger/that-digression-business-got-on-my-nerves-i-don-t-now-the-trouble/) [J.D. Salinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-salinger/) > [Oh, I don’t know. That digression business got on my nerves. I don’t know. The trouble with me is, I like it when somebody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/oh-i-don-t-know-that-digression-business-got-on-my-nerves-i-don-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“For, let's face it, digression is the soul of wit. Take philosophic asides away from Dante, Milton or Hamlet's father's ghost and what stays…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/for-let-s-face-it-digression-is-the-soul-of-wit-take-philosophic/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“Nothing is more to the point than a good digression.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-caplan/nothing-is-more-to-the-point-than-a-good-digression/) [Ralph Caplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-caplan/) > [“I have digressed, which is also the kind of writer I would become.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/i-have-digressed-which-is-also-the-kind-of-writer-i-would-become/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [“The Duchess looked at Chloe with a look that said, You had the chance to tell him, but you chose to carry on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-walliams/the-duchess-looked-at-chloe-with-a-look-that-said-you-had-the-chance/) [David Walliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-walliams/) > [Digression is my passion. I love telling the main stories, but in some ways, what I love most is using those narratives as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-larson/digression-is-my-passion-i-love-telling-the-main-stories-but-in-some/) [Erik Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-larson/) > [The more learned a writer, the more digression beckons him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/the-more-learned-a-writer-the-more-digression-beckons-him/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [“If I have any fault, it is digression”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-gordon-byron/if-i-have-any-fault-it-is-digression/) [George Gordon Byron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-gordon-byron/) > [Digression is the soul of wit. Take the philosophic asides away from Dante, Milton or Hamlet's father's ghost and what stays is dry bones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/digression-is-the-soul-of-wit-take-the-philosophic-asides-away-from/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) [Browse all 19 Digression quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/digression/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“It seemed that digression was the true principle of the universe, that the only real subject was the way the subject kept changing.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Salman Rushdie" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/it-seemed-that-digression-was-the-true-principle-of-the-universe-that/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Digression" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/it-seemed-that-digression-was-the-true-principle-of-the-universe-that/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed3/salman-rushdie-153_digression_it-seemed-that-digression-was-the-true-p_2579524.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed3/salman-rushdie-153_digression_it-seemed-that-digression-was-the-true-p_2579524.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ed3/salman-rushdie-153_digression_it-seemed-that-digression-was-the-true-p_2579524.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It seemed that digression was the true principle of the universe, that the only real subject was the way the…” — Salman Rushdie", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Salman Rushdie", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“It seemed that digression was the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/it-seemed-that-digression-was-the-true-principle-of-the-universe-that/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/it-seemed-that-digression-was-the-true-principle-of-the-universe-that/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```