Bad taste Quote by Shion Miura
““These people so entranced by dictionaries were outside the bounds of Nishioka’s understanding. He couldn’t even be sure they thought of their work as work. They spent huge sums of their own money on materials, ignoring the limitations of their salaries. Sometimes they stayed in the office looking up things and never even realized they had missed the last train home. They seemed filled with a mad fever. And yet you couldn’t really say they loved dictionaries, either—not given the way they studied and analyzed them with such stunning concentration. There was something almost vindictive in their obsession, as if they were going after an enemy, getting the goods on him. How could they be so wrapped up in making dictionaries? He found their obsession mysterious, with even a whiff of bad taste. And yet—if only Nishioka had something that meant as much to him as dictionaries did to Majime and the rest. Then surely he would see everything differently. He would see a world of such dazzling brightness it would hurt.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino, 2005
The passage describes how obsessive dedication to a task can become detached from practical reality, turning into a compulsive, almost hostile pursuit that blinds participants to broader perspectives.
In simple terms: Obsessive focus can become harmful and narrow.
Key Takeaway
Recognize when passion eclipses balance.
Themes
obsession
focus
detachment
balance
perspective
Mood
intense
reflective
critical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic research
- software development
- creative writing
- project management
- personal hobbies
Key Concepts
psychology
motivation
cognitive bias
work ethic
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives you to obsess over a project?
- How can you maintain perspective while staying dedicated?
A Different Perspective
Such fixation may lead to burnout or missed opportunities outside the narrow focus.
