Never such innocence, Never before or since, As changed itself to past Without a word--the men Leaving the gardens tidy, The thousands of marriages Lasting a little while longer: Never such innocence again.
Philip LarkinRead
To start at a new place is always to feel incompetent & unwanted.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Starting anew often brings feelings of inadequacy and a sense of not belonging.
This quote by Philip Larkin highlights the emotional turmoil that often accompanies new beginnings. Whether moving to a new place, starting a new job, or entering a different social environment, individuals frequently experience feelings of incompetence and isolation as they navigate unfamiliar circumstances and attempt to find their footing in a new context.
Themes
ChangeNew BeginningsIncompetenceBelongingEmotions
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about overcoming fears of change.
More from Philip Larkin
All quotes →Uncontradicting solitude Supports me on its giant palm; And like a sea-anemone Or simple snail, there cautiously Unfolds, emerges, what I am.
Philip LarkinRead
Saki says that youth is like hors d'oeuvres: you are so busy thinking of the next courses you don't notice it. When you've had them, you wish you'd had more hors d'oeuvres.
Philip LarkinRead
Above all, though, children are linked to adults by the simple fact that they are in process of turning into them. For this they may be forgiven much. Children are bound to be inferior to adults, or there is no incentive to grow up.
Philip LarkinRead
Originality is being different from oneself, not others.
Philip LarkinRead
I can't understand these chaps who go round American universities explaining how they write poems: It's like going round explaining how you sleep with your wife.
Philip LarkinRead
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He did not know that the child who had asked for yesterday was now seeking to own tomorrow.
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The change which the writing wrought in me (and of which I did not write) was only a beginning; only to prepare me for the gods' surgery. They used my own pen to probe my wound.
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More than ever before in history, individuals can now band together to solve grand challenges. We face enormous problems, but we 'as individuals' have enormous power to solve them.
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