We never reach a point at which our lives lie before us as a clearly marked open road, never have and never should expect a map to the years ahead, never do close those circles that seem, at thirteen and fourteen and nineteen, so urgently in need of closing.

Joan Didion

Buy After Henry at Amazon Buy After Henry at Amazon

More information about this quote

Topic

Nature of life The human condition

Author

Joan Didion

Source

Pacific Distances After Henry

Medium

Essay

Language

English

Time

1992 1990s 20th century

Occupation

Writer

From

United States

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Didion, Joan. "Pacific Distances." After Henry. Simon & Schuster, 1992.

Current Citation

Didion, Joan. "Pacific Distances." Joan Didion: The 1980s & 90s, edited by David L. Ulin. Library of America, 2021.

Illustrated Quote

A quote by Joan Didion about nature of life: “We never reach a point at which our lives lie before us as a clearly…”
Download
A quote by Joan Didion about nature of life: “We never reach a point at which our lives lie before us as a clearly…”
Download
A quote by Joan Didion about nature of life: “We never reach a point at which our lives lie before us as a clearly…”
Download

Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote by Joan Didion

I think we are well advised to keep on nodding terms with the people we used to be, whether we find them attractive company or not. Otherwise, they turn up unannounced and surprise us, come hammering on the mind's door at 4 a. M. Of a bad night and demand to know who deserted them, who betrayed them, who is going to make amends.

Joan Didion

On Keeping a Notebook

Buy Slouching Towards Bethlehem at Amazon Buy Slouching Towards Bethlehem at Amazon
More information about this quote
Topic
Personal growth

Author

Joan Didion
Source
On Keeping a Notebook Slouching Towards Bethlehem
Medium
Essay
Language
English
Time
1968 1960s 20th century
Authentication Score 3
Citation

Didion, Joan. "On Keeping a Notebook." Holiday, 1966.

Another quote about The human condition

The cloud-capped towers, the gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples, the great globe itself,
Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve,
And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,
Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff
As dreams are made on, and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.

William Shakespeare

The Tempest

Buy The Tempest at Amazon Buy The Tempest at Amazon
Read The Tempest at The Folger Shakespeare Library
More information about this quote
Topic
Mortality The human condition
Speaker
Prospero

Author

William Shakespeare
Source
The Tempest
Medium
Play
Genre
Comedy (play)
Language
English
Time
1616 1610s 17th century
Era
European Renaissance
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. "The Tempest." Mr. William Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. London: Edward Blount and William and Isaac Jaggard, 1623, act 4, sc. 1.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "The Tempest." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, act 4, sc. 1.