Confidence Quote by Upton Sinclair
““And each of them had an individuality of his own, a will of his own, a hope and a heart's desire; each was full of self-confidence, of self-importance, and a sense of dignity. And trusting and strong in faith he had gone about his business, the while a black shadow hung over him and a horrid Fate waited in his pathway. Now suddenly it had swooped upon him, and had seized him by the leg. Relentless, remorseless, it was; all his protests, his screams, were nothing to it—it did its cruel will with him, as if his wishes, his feelings, had simply no existence at all; it cut his throat and watched him gasp out his life. And now was one to believe that there was nowhere a god of hogs, to whom this hog personality was precious, to whom these hog squeals and agonies had a meaning? Who would take this hog into his arms and comfort him, reward him for his work well done, and show him the meaning of his sacrifice?””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Jungle, 1906
A character faces relentless misfortune despite confidence and faith, questioning the existence of a compassionate deity amid suffering.
In simple terms: Even the confident can be crushed by fate, raising doubts about divine care.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge life’s unpredictability and seek meaning beyond fate.
Themes
suffering
faith
existential doubt
destiny
human dignity
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- war
- personal tragedy
- social injustice
- health crises
Key Concepts
theology
philosophy of suffering
Questions to Reflect On
- What gives you hope when fate seems cruel?
- How can we find purpose in suffering?
A Different Perspective
The narrative may over‑dramaticize fate, ignoring agency.
