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
People who've had very unhappy childhoods are pretty good at inventing themselves. If nobody invents you for yourself, nothing is left but to invent yourself for others.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Unhappy childhoods can lead individuals to reshape their identities. If others don't define you, you must create your own identity for the sake of others.
This quote emphasizes the resilience and creativity of individuals who have faced difficulties in their upbringing. It suggests that when external influences or support are lacking, such as in the case of an unhappy childhood, one must take the initiative to craft their own identity. This invention is not only for personal growth but also for the sake of social interaction and acceptance, highlighting the importance of self-determination and personal agency.
Themes
IdentitySelf-InventionChildhoodResiliencePersonal-Growth
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech discussing personal growth and overcoming adversity, you might use this quote.
More from John Le Carre
All quotes βIn 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 catβs 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.
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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
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