Whatever the misery, he could not regain contentment with a world which, once doubted, became absurd.
Interpretation
The quote reflects a sense of despair and absurdity in perceiving the world after losing faith in it.
Sinclair Lewis expresses that once a person has questioned the reality and morality of the world around them, it becomes impossible to find peace or happiness within it. The sense of absurdity arises from the contradiction between the pursuit of contentment and the disillusionment that comes from recognizing the world's flaws.
In practice
During a philosophy class discussion on existentialism.
Upon this theology he rarely pondered. The kernel of his practical religion was that it was respectable, and beneficial to one's business, to be seen going to services; that the church kept the Worst Elements from being still worse; and that the pastor's sermons, however dull they might seem at the time of taking, yet had a voodooistic power which 'did a fellow good-- kept him in touch with Higher Things.
Intellectually I know that America is no better than any other country; emotionally I know she is better than every other country.
Writers kid themselves-about themselves and other people. Take the talk about writing methods. Writing is just work-there's no secret. If you dictate or use a pen or type with your toes-it is just work.
She did her work with the thoroughness of a mind which reveres details and never quite understands them.
Writing is just work-there's no secret. If you dictate or use a pen or type or write with your toes-it's still just work.
It is, I think, an error to believe that there is any need of religion to make life seem worth living.
The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
It is because we are all impostors that we endure each other. The man who does not consent to lie will see the earth shrink under his feet: we are biologically obliged to the false
Those spacious regions where our fancies roam,_x000D_ _x000D_ Pain'd by the past, expecting ills to come,_x000D_ _x000D_ In some dread moment, by the fates assign'd,_x000D_ _x000D_ Shall pass away, nor leave a rack behind;_x000D_ _x000D_ And Time's revolving wheels shall lose at last_x000D_ _x000D_ The speed that spins the future and the past:_x000D_ _x000D_ And, sovereign of an undisputed throne,_x000D_ _x000D_ Awful eternity shall reign alone.
He, who survives his reputation, lives out of despite himself, like a man listening to his own reproach.
Vengeance comes from the individual and punishment from God.
Lies are infinite in number, and the truth so small and singular.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.