--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Even in sleep, he was waiting, a little…" description: "\"“Even in sleep, he was waiting, a little tense like everyone waiting within reach of a telephone, for it to ring. And still, even in sleep, he knew the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ce/william-gaddis-7794_sleep_even-in-sleep-he-was-waiting-a-little-te_495368.jpg" --- # Even in sleep, he was waiting, a little tense like… ![“Even in sleep, he was waiting, a little tense like everyone waiting within reach of a telephone, for it to ring. And still, even in sleep, he knew there would be time. Adam, after all, lived for nine hundred thirty years.” quote by William Gaddis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ce/william-gaddis-7794_sleep_even-in-sleep-he-was-waiting-a-little-te_495368.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ce/william-gaddis-7794_sleep_even-in-sleep-he-was-waiting-a-little-te_495368.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ce/william-gaddis-7794_sleep_even-in-sleep-he-was-waiting-a-little-te_495368.jpg) > ““Even in sleep, he was waiting, a little tense like everyone waiting within reach of a telephone, for it to ring. And still, even in sleep, he knew there would be time. Adam, after all, lived for nine hundred thirty years.”” [William Gaddis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gaddis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Even in unconscious moments, the protagonist remains alert, anticipating a pivotal moment that will arrive in due course. **In simple terms:** He stays ready for an important future event. Key Takeaway Remain vigilant and patient. Themes anticipation patience time waiting Mood tense hopeful Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - personal crisis - long‑term planning - spiritual reflection Key Concepts existential tension temporal awareness Questions to Reflect On - What future event are you anticipating? - How does patience affect your decisions? A Different Perspective The waiting may become passive rather than proactive. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Sleep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sleep/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Within reach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/within-reach/) ## Related quotes > [“You can't sleep beside me,' I hissed. 'I'm not.' 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