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
There are moments which are made up of too much stuff for them to be lived at the time they occur.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Some experiences in life are too rich or overwhelming to fully appreciate as they happen.
John Le Carre's quote reflects the idea that certain moments in life can be so profound, filled with emotion and complexity, that it is difficult to fully grasp their significance as they unfold. It suggests that some experiences require time and reflection to appreciate their true depth and meaning, often leading us to understand their importance only in retrospect.
Themes
MomentsExperienceReflectionLifeSignificance
In practice
Example use cases
During a graduation speech, this quote can highlight the complexity of life transitions.
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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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.
John Le CarreRead
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
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