Attitude Quote by W.N.P. Barbellion
“Sometimes I think I am going mad. I live for days in the mystery and tears of things so that the commonest object, the most familiar face- even my own- become ghostly, unreal, enigmatic. I get into an attitude of almost total scepticism, nescience, solipsism, in a world of dumb, sphinx-like things that cannot explain themselves. The discovery of how I am situated- a sentient being on a globe in space overshadows me. I wish I were just nothing.”
About This Quote
The speaker describes a profound existential crisis, feeling detached from reality and overwhelmed by the vastness of existence, leading to a desire for non‑being.
In simple terms: A deep feeling of alienation and yearning for nothingness.
Recognize and address existential distress.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- personal diary
- mental health reflection
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What anchors you in reality?
- How can you find meaning amid vastness?
Existential dread can be overwhelming and isolating.