Maggie, we're through with lies and liars in this house. Lock the door.
Tennessee WilliamsRead
We have to distrust each other. It is our only defense against betrayal.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Trusting others can lead to betrayal, so it's safer to be cautious.
In this quote, Tennessee Williams presents a rather cynical view on human relationships, suggesting that the foundation of trust can often lead to disappointment and betrayal. By advocating for a healthy dose of skepticism, he implies that maintaining a certain level of doubt towards others can protect oneself from being hurt, ultimately functioning as a defense mechanism in a world where loyalty can be fleeting.
Themes
TrustBetrayalRelationshipsCautionDefense
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used during a discussion about the importance of being cautious in personal relationships.
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All quotes →Time rushes towards us with its hospital tray of infinitely varied narcotics, even while it is preparing us for its inevitably fatal operation.
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Success and failure are equally disastrous.
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The rest of my days I'm going to spend on the sea. And when I die, I'm going to die on the sea. You know what I shall die of? I shall die of eating an unwashed grape. One day out on the ocean I will die — with my hand in the hand of some nice-looking ship's doctor, a very young one with a small blond moustache and a big silver watch.
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Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends we choose.
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