But how awful would that be? How terrible to live surrounded by the stark, sharp, hollowness of things that simply were enough?
There can be many opinions on a thing, but there is only one truth." Vashet smiled lazily. "And if the pursuit of the truth was my goal, that would concern me." She gave a long yawn, stretching like a happy cat. "Instead I will focus on the joy in my heart, [...}
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the distinction between subjective opinions and objective truth, emphasizing the importance of personal joy over the relentless pursuit of truth.
In this quote, the speaker indicates that while many people may have differing opinions on various subjects, there exists only one objective truth. However, the speaker chooses to prioritize joy and contentment in life rather than being overly concerned with uncovering the absolute truth, suggesting that personal happiness and inner peace are more valuable than conflicting viewpoints.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about differing viewpoints on social issues, one might quote this to emphasize the importance of pursuing personal happiness.
More from Patrick Rothfuss
All quotes →I wanted to tell her that she was the first beautiful thing I had seen in three years. That the sight of her yawning to the back of her hand was enough to drive the breath from me. How I sometimes lost the sense of her words in the sweet fluting of her voice. I wanted to say that if she were with me then somehow nothing could ever be wrong for me again.
Using words to talk of words is like using a pencil to draw a picture of itself, on itself. Impossible. Confusing. Frustrating ... but there are other ways to understanding.
Words are pale shadows of forgotten names. As names have power, words have power. Words can light fires in the minds of men. Words can wring tears from the hardest hearts. There are seven words that will make a person love you. There are ten words that will break a strong man's will. But a word is nothing but a painting of a fire. A name is the fire itself.
How odd to watch a mortal kindle / Then to dwindle day by day / Knowing their bright souls are tinder / And the wind will have its way
All the truth in the world is held in stories.
Similar quotes
A way of life that ever more rapidly depletes the power of the Earth to sustain it and piles up ever more insoluble problems for each succeeding generation can only be called violent.
I have always grappled with the fact that the truth cannot be packaged into one soul or one mind alone. It is something fragmented: there is so much to it; the truth is varied and scattered across the world.
Although it has been said by men of more wit than wisdom, and perhaps more malice than either, that women are naturally incapable of acting prudently, or that they are necessarily determined to folly, I must by no means grant it.
Freedom can be destroyed, not just by its retraction, but also by its abuse.
Never increase, beyond what is necessary, the number of entities required to explain anything.
People think dreams aren't real just because they aren't made of matter, of particles. Dreams are real. But they are made of viewpoints, of images, of memories and puns and lost hopes.