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About this quote

What does it mean?
Concerns and obligations are often imposed on us rather than chosen.
In plain terms
We do not get to pick what troubles us.
What can you take from it?
Life’s burdens arrive without our consent.

Where it applies

  • career choices
  • family duties
  • unexpected crises

Putting it to work

  • accept unavoidable duties
  • navigate imposed responsibilities
  • reass priorities

Questions to consider

  • Can we ever truly avoid concerns?
  • What shapes our obligations?

Another view

We often choose our concerns indirectly.

More from Graham Greene

  1. No danger anywhere, it seemed to Rollo Martins of that sudden reckless moment when the scent of hair or a hand against the side alters life.

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  2. If we had not been taught how to interpret the story of the Passion, would we have been able to say from their actions alone whether it was jealous Judas or th…

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  3. We never get accustomed to being less important to other people than they are to us - Martins felt the little jab of dispensability.

    Permalink to quote #32

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