The hurt is in the act of possession; we are too small in mind and body to possess another person without pride or to be possessed without humiliation. In a way I was glad my wife had struck out at me again - I had forgotten her pain for too long, and this was the only kind of recompense I could give her. Unfortunately the innocent are always involved in any conflict. Always, everywhere, there is some voice crying from a tower.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Possession harms both the one who possesses and the one possessed; conflict inevitably harms innocent parties.
- In plain terms
- Trying to own another person hurts everyone, and innocent people always get hurt in fights.
- What can you take from it?
- Avoid trying to control others and recognize collateral damage in conflict.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What forms of possession feel healthy versus harmful?
- How can we protect the innocent in unavoidable conflicts?
Another view
The quote assumes all possession is inherently harmful.
More from Graham Greene
'Oh, I'm not a Berkeleian. I believe my back's against this wall. I believe there's a sten gun over there.'
Permalink to quote #45 He'll always be innocent, you can't blame the innocent, they are always guiltless. All you can do is control them or eliminate them. Innocence is a kind of ins…
Permalink to quote #47 Innocence always calls mutely for protection when we would be so much wiser to guard ourselves against it: innocence is like a dumb leper who has lost his bell…
Permalink to quote #44
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