Ancient Quote by William Styron
““Further, Dr. Gold said with a straight face, the pill at optimum dosage could have the side effect of impotence. Until that moment, although I’d had some trouble with his personality, I had not thought him totally lacking in perspicacity; now I was not at all sure. Putting myself in Dr. Gold’s shoes, I wondered if he seriously thought that this juiceless and ravaged semi-invalid with the shuffle and the ancient wheeze woke up each morning from his Halcion sleep eager for carnal fun.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Confessions of Nat Turner by William Styron, 1967
A doctor’s offhand comment about a drug’s side effect shakes the narrator’s trust, highlighting how unexpected details can undermine perceived competence.
In simple terms: A surprising remark can erode confidence in someone’s judgment.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions when new information appears.
Themes
trust
credibility
medical ethics
Mood
skeptical
reflective
Type
analytical
critical
When to use this quote
- medical consultation
- clinical decision making
- patient‑doctor communication
- personal bias assessment
Key Concepts
psychology
reputation
risk assessment
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you evaluate credibility when faced with unexpected claims?
- What safeguards can protect against bias from single remarks?
A Different Perspective
The comment may be exaggerated for narrative effect, not reflecting real medical practice.
![“Every writer since the beginning of time, just like other people, has been afflicted by what [a] friend of mine calls "the fleas of life"-you know, colds, hangovers, bills, sprained ankles and little nuisances of one sort or another.” quote by William Styron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ecc/william-styron-3859_afflicted_every-writer-since-the-beginning-of-time_83391.jpg)
