I began writing when I was still in the British Foreign Service, and it was then understood that even if you wrote about butterfly collecting, you used another name.
John Le CarreRead
Coming home from very lonely places, all of us go a little mad: whether from great personal success, or just an all-night drive, we are the sole survivors of a world no one else has ever seen.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the personal experiences of solitude and madness that come from facing unique life journeys.
John Le Carre's quote encapsulates the idea that when we return from experiences that are deeply isolating, whether due to our individual triumphs or exhausting journeys, we carry with us a perspective that is often unshared with others. This solitude can lead to a feeling of madness, as we grapple with the weight of our unique experiences that the world may not understand, highlighting the complexity of human existence and our inner emotional landscapes.
Themes
SolitudeMadnessExperienceJourneyPerspective
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about personal struggles, you might use this quote to emphasize how unique experiences can lead to feelings of isolation.
More from John Le Carre
All quotes →In every war zone that I've been in, there has been a reality and then there has been the public perception of why the war was being fought. In every crisis, the issues have been far more complex than the public has been allowed to know.
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The cat sat on the mat is not a story. The cat sat on the other cat’s mat is a story.
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The monsters of our childhood do not fade away, neither are they ever wholly monstrous.
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If I had to put a name to it, I would wish that all my books were entertainments. I think the first thing you've got to do is grab the reader by the ear, and make him sit down and listen. Make him laugh, make him feel. We all want to be entertained at a very high level.
John Le CarreRead
We've had enough." He took back the report and jammed it under his arm. "We've had a bellyful, in fact." "And like everyone who's had enough," said Control as Alleline noisily left the room, "he wants more.
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