Anything worse than what I do, without knowing what, or why, I have never been able to conceive, and that doesn't surprise me, for I never tried. For had I been able to conceive something worse than what I had I would have known no peace until I got it, if I know anything about myself.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker admits to doing bad things without reason and claims they cannot conceive anything worse because they never try to imagine it.
- In plain terms
- I do bad things without knowing why and don't try to imagine worse ones.
- What can you take from it?
- Avoiding imagination keeps you from finding worse sins.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is ignorance better than knowing the worst?
- Why do we avoid imagining our failures?
Another view
It suggests ignorance is a valid strategy for maintaining peace.
More from Samuel Beckett
It sometimes happens and will sometimes happen again that I forget who I am and strut before my eyes, like a stranger.
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Permalink to quote #52 All the things you would do gladly, oh without enthusiasm, but gladly, all the things there seems no reason for your not doing, and that you do not do! Can it …
Permalink to quote #49
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