19th century Quote by Siri Hustvedt
“I like 'nerves'! I like the word 'migraineur'. I like the word 'madness'. These are OK words. The 19th century had a very handy term: 'neurasthenic'. I think that's a very useful word. We all know what that means: it means extra-sensitive.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Shaking of Things, 2010
She celebrates unconventional words for heightened sensitivity, suggesting language can capture nuanced mental states that mainstream terms miss.
In simple terms: Unusual words describe sensitivity.
Key Takeaway
Value precise language for complex emotions.
Themes
language
mental health
creativity
Mood
introspective
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- writing
- therapy
- self‑expression
- academic discourse
Key Concepts
neuroscience
lexicology
Questions to Reflect On
- What role does language play in understanding mental states?
- Can new terms reduce stigma?
A Different Perspective
Over‑reliance on labels may pathologize normal variation.
![“. . . Luddites were those frenzied traditionalists of the early 19th century who toured [England] wrecking new weaving machines on the theory that if they were destroyed . . . old jobs and old ways of life could be preserved . . . At certain times in his life each man is tempted to become a…” quote by James A. Michener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/182/james-a-michener-1627_19th-century_luddites-were-those-frenzied-traditional_76909.jpg)
