You fall out of your mother's womb, you crawl across open country under fire, and drop into your grave.
Quentin CrispRead
In an expanding universe, time is on the side of the outcast. Those who once inhabited the suburbs of human contempt find that without changing their address they eventually live in the metropolis.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Time can change societal perceptions, allowing outcasts to gain acceptance and recognition without needing to alter their circumstances.
Quentin Crisp's quote suggests that over time, people who are marginalized or judged by society can find themselves accepted as societal views evolve. The 'outcast' may start as someone who faces contempt, but as time progresses, cultural paradigms shift, and they can rise to a position of prominence within the 'metropolis' of society, all while remaining true to their identities and not conforming to societal norms.
Themes
TimeOutcastSocietyChangeAcceptance
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about social justice, one might cite this quote to emphasize the shifting norms in society.
More from Quentin Crisp
All quotes →The consuming desire of most human beings is deliberately to plant their whole life in the hands of some other person. I would describe this method of searching for happiness as immature. Development of character consists solely in moving toward self-sufficiency.
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What would you be like if you were the only person in the world? If you want to be truly happy you must be that person.
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The search for a life-style involves a journey to the interior. This is not altogether a pleasant experience, because you not only have to take stock of what you consider your assets but you also have to take a long look at what your friends call “the trouble with you.” Nevertheless, the journey is worth making.
Quentin CrispRead
If you describe things as better than they are, you are considered to be a romantic; if you describe things as worse than they are, you will be called a realist; and if you describe things exactly as they are, you will be thought of as a satirist.
Quentin CrispRead
The flagrantly gay Quentin Crisp dealt with homophobic bullying by refusing to bow to its onslaught. His number listed in the phone directory, he responded to derogatory remarks accompanied with a stated intent to kill him by asking, "Would you like to make an appointment?"
Quentin CrispRead
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