“But it's not actually out destiny to know the paths. Our destiny is precisely not to know them. We don't come into this world to find answers, but to ask questions. We grope around, as it were, in perpetual darkness, and it's only if we're very lucky that we sometimes see a little flicker of light. And only with a great deal of courage or persistence or stupidity - or, best of all, all three at once - can we make our mark here and there, indicate the way.”
This quote is the crux of the novel and illustrates its thoughts on the human condition and what it is like to deal with challenges in life. The quote suggests that uncertainty is intrinsic to our existence as human beings. According to Freud, a vaunted psychologist and Franz's wise friend, it's not our destiny to have a clear, predetermined path; instead, it argues that part of being human is exploring and being curious about life. The imagery of "groping around in perpetual darkness" underscores the element of uncertainty and the relentless quest for understanding and enlightenment almost every person experiences in their life. Additionally, the quote shows the value of courage, persistence, and even "stupidity," thus hinting at the necessity for people to take risks no matter their consequences.
"From birth, you distance yourself a little further from yourself every single day, until eventually you no longer recognize yourself."
This quote explores the complex dynamics of personal identity as a person progresses through their life. The quote suggests that more people than one would expect following a paradoxical trajectory in life: instead of becoming more self-aware as they age, they become more out of touch with the world and with themselves. The idea of distancing "a little further from yourself every single day" implies the endless accumulation of experiences, knowledge, and transformations might muddle our original identity. This constant change can lead to a sense of estrangement or alienation as a person's present self becomes fundamentally different from the person they were at birth. The phrase "until eventually you no longer recognize yourself" carries a profound existential melancholy, suggesting a disconnection between the present self and the "original" self.
"After all, most paths seem somehow familiar to me. But actually, it's not our destiny to know the paths. It's precisely our destiny not to know them. We are not born to find answers, but to ask questions. You might say, one gropes around in an everlasting darkness, and only with a lot of luck, one might sometimes see a small light flare up. And only with a lot of courage or persistence or stupidity, or ideally all together, can one occasionally set a mark!"
This quote shows that the human journey and the human experience are often marked by not having enough, or not having complete, knowledge. It argues against the idea that people follow predestined paths or have a clear understanding of their life's trajectory. Instead, it champions the notion that people ought to pursue questions instead of definitive answers. This quote contributes to a perspective that sees life not as a process of accumulating definitive answers but as an enduring venture of questioning, learning, and adapting.
