A-line-made-by-walking Quote by Sara Baume
““And yet, here I am. Perceiving everything that is wonderful to be proportionately difficult; everything that is possible an elaborate battle to achieve. My happy life was never enough for me. I always considered my time to be more precious than that of other people and almost every routine pursuit—equitable employment, domestic chores, friendship—unworthy of it. Now I see how this rebellion against ordinary happiness is the greatest vanity of them all.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Lonely City by Sara Baume, 2015
The speaker sees life as a series of demanding challenges, feeling that ordinary happiness is a vanity, and values personal time over routine duties.
In simple terms: Life feels like a hard battle; ordinary joy seems vain.
Key Takeaway
Embrace ordinary moments, value shared time.
Themes
vanity
existential
value of time
ordinary happiness
self‑critique
Mood
reflective
melancholic
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
personal
existential
When to use this quote
- career decisions
- relationship building
- daily chores
- personal reflection
- goal setting
Key Concepts
existentialism
vanity
time perception
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you prioritize personal time over shared responsibilities?
- How might ordinary joys reduce feelings of vanity?
A Different Perspective
Ordinary happiness can provide grounding and community, countering isolation.
