I can never drive my car over a bridge without thinking of suicide. I can never look at a lake or an ocean without thinking of suicide.
Charles BukowskiRead
Some people have written that my writing has helped them go on. It has helped me too. The writing, the roses, the 9 cats.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the reciprocal relationship between the author and their readers, emphasizing the healing power of creativity.
In this quote, Charles Bukowski shares that his writing has not only resonated with others, providing them with solace or motivation, but has also served as a source of comfort for him. He highlights the therapeutic nature of artistic expression, suggesting that creation can be a two-way street where both the creator and the audience find relief and connection through shared experiences.
Themes
WritingHealingCreativityConnectionExpression
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the power of literature, one might quote Bukowski to demonstrate how writing can affect both the reader and the writer.
More from Charles Bukowski
All quotes βwhen I am feeling low all i have to do is watch my cats and my courage returns
Charles BukowskiRead
The masses are always wrong...Wisdom is doing everything the crowd does not do. All you do is reverse the totality of their learning and you have the heaven they're looking for.
Charles BukowskiRead
I'm going to open another vottle. not a vottle, but a bottle. you open it and I'll drink it. and you try to write as much as I did without falling off of your chair.
Charles BukowskiRead
To experience real agony is something hard to write about, impossible to understand while it grips you; you're frightened out of your wits, canβt sit still, move, or even go decently insane.
Charles BukowskiRead
I lapsed into my pathetic cut-off period. Often with humans, both good and bad, my senses simply shut off, they get tired, I give up. I am polite. I nod. I pretend to understand because I donβt want anybody to be hurt. That is the one weakness that has lead me into the most trouble. Trying to be kind to others I often get my soul shredded into a kind of spiritual pasta. No matter. My brain shuts off. I listen. I respond. And they are too dumb to know that I am not there.
Charles BukowskiRead
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