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
I knew I was strong, and maybe like they said, "crazy." But I had this feeling inside of me that something real was there.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote speaks to the inner strength and belief in oneself despite being perceived as unconventional or 'crazy'. It emphasizes the presence of a deeper truth within.
In this quote, Charles Bukowski reflects on his self-awareness and conviction in his own strength and uniqueness. He acknowledges that others may label him as 'crazy', yet he feels an undeniable truth and authenticity within himself. This inner belief fuels his courage to embrace his individuality, suggesting that true strength often comes from recognizing and valuing one's inner experiences, even in the face of societal doubts.
Themes
StrengthCourageIndividualityAuthenticitySelf-Awareness
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared in a motivational speech to encourage self-acceptance.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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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