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I don't think jealousy has much of a connection with real, objective conditions. Like if you're fortunate you're not jealous, but if life hasn't blessed you, you are jealous. Jealousy doesn't work that way. It's more like a tumor secretly growing inside us that gets bigger and bigger, beyond all reason. Even if you find out it's there, there's nothing you can do to stop it.
Haruki Murakami
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Jealousy is an irrational emotion that grows within us, often unrelated to actual circumstances.

This quote by Haruki Murakami reflects on the nature of jealousy, comparing it to a hidden tumor that grows uncontrollably. It suggests that jealousy is not necessarily tied to external conditions of fortune or lack but instead stems from an internal, often unfounded, emotional state that can become overwhelming and difficult to manage.

Themes

JealousyEmotionRelationshipsSelf-EsteemInternal Struggle

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be shared during a discussion on managing emotions in relationships.

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Everybody burns out in this world; amateur, pro, it doesn't matter, they all burn out, they all get hurt, the OK guys and the not-OK guys both. That's why everybody takes out a little insurance. I've got some too, here at the bottom of the heap. That way, you manage to survive if you burn out. If you're all by yourself and don't belong anywhere, you go down once, and you're out. Finished.
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Life is so uncertain: you never know what could happen. One way to deal with that is to keep your pajamas washed.
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Quote by Haruki Murakami | QuoteProject