# Quotes about despair - Quotes: 80 - Authors: 61 - Broader topic: [Quotes about sadness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/sadness.md) - Topic page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair - JSON version (same data): https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.json ## Quotes > The only hope for the doomed is no hope at all. [Virgil](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virgil.md) · [The Aeneid](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virgil/the-aeneid.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virgil/the-aeneid/the-only-hope.md) Topics: [hope](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hope.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > The soul does not give itself up to despair until it has exhausted all illusions. [Victor Hugo](https://www.leafyquotes.com/victor-hugo.md) · [Les Miserables](https://www.leafyquotes.com/victor-hugo/les-miserables.md) · p. 968 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/victor-hugo/les-miserables/the-soul-does.md) Topics: [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md), [illusions](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/illusions-2.md) > She sighed, she sobbed, and furious with despair, > > Accused all the gods, and every star. [Virgil](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virgil.md) · [The Eclogues](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virgil/the-eclogues.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virgil/the-eclogues/she-sighed-she.md) Topics: [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > There are occasions ... when all consolation is base and it is a duty to despair. [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://www.leafyquotes.com/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe.md) · [Elective Affinities](https://www.leafyquotes.com/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/elective-affinities.md) · p. 147 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/elective-affinities/there-are-occasions.md) Topics: [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > Someone in despair despairs over something. So, for a moment, it seems, but only for a moment. That same instant the true despair shows itself, or despair in its true guise. In despairing over something he was really despairing over himself, and he wants now to be rid of himself. [Sören Kierkegaard](https://www.leafyquotes.com/soren-kierkegaard.md) · [The Sickness Unto Death](https://www.leafyquotes.com/soren-kierkegaard/the-sickness-unto-death.md) · p. 49 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/soren-kierkegaard/the-sickness-unto-death/someone-in-despair.md) Topics: [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > What intoxication is as beautiful as despair … It gives a slight flourish to the hat and to the whole body; it gives a proud, defiant look. The lips smile haughtily. It provides an indescribable lightness to life, a regal outlook on everything. [Sören Kierkegaard](https://www.leafyquotes.com/soren-kierkegaard.md) · [Either/Or](https://www.leafyquotes.com/soren-kierkegaard/eitheror.md) · p. 195 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/soren-kierkegaard/eitheror/what-intoxication-is-as-beautiful.md) Topics: [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > There is nothing in this world to fear, nothing to revere or trust, nothing even to hope for; least of all, is there aught to love. [R. D. Blackmore](https://www.leafyquotes.com/r-d-blackmore.md) · [Lorna Doone](https://www.leafyquotes.com/r-d-blackmore/lorna-doone.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/r-d-blackmore/lorna-doone/there-is-nothing.md) Topics: [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > Fatalism had its dark attractions, after all. Hopelessness and despair could almost look restful. [James S. A. Corey](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-s-a-corey.md) · [Leviathan Falls](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-s-a-corey/leviathan-falls.md) · p. 67 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-s-a-corey/leviathan-falls/fatalism-had-its.md) Topics: [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > Hally: I oscillate between hope and despair for this world as well, Sam. [Athol Fugard](https://www.leafyquotes.com/athol-fugard.md) · [MASTER HAROLD AND THE BOYS](https://www.leafyquotes.com/athol-fugard/master-harold-and-the-boys.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/athol-fugard/master-harold-and-the-boys/hally-i-oscillate.md) Topics: [hope](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hope.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > Restoration is a powerful antidote to despair. Restoration offers concrete means by which humans can once again enter into positive, creative relationship with the more-than-human world, meeting responsibilities that are simultaneously material and spiritual. It’s not enough to grieve. It’s not enough to just stop doing bad things. [Robin Wall Kimmerer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer.md) · [Braiding Sweetgrass](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer/braiding-sweetgrass.md) · p. 328 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer/braiding-sweetgrass/restoration-is-a-powerful.md) Topics: [ecology](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/ecology.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > We are deluged by information regarding our destruction of the world and hear almost nothing about how to nurture it. It is no surprise then that environmentalism becomes synonymous with dire predictions and powerless feelings. Our natural inclination to do right by the world is stifled, breeding despair when it should be inspiring action. The participatory role of people in the well-being of the land has been lost, our reciprocal relations reduced to a Keep Out sign. [...] People do know the consequences of our collective damage, they do know the wages of an extractive economy, but they don’t stop. They get very sad, they get very quiet. So quiet that protection of the environment that enables them to eat and breathe and imagine a future for their children doesn’t even make it onto a list of their top ten concerns. The Haunted Hayride of dumps, the melting glaciers, the litany of doomsday projections—they move anyone who is still listening only to despair. Despair is paralysis. It robs us of agency. It blinds us to our own power and the power of the earth. [Robin Wall Kimmerer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer.md) · [Braiding Sweetgrass](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer/braiding-sweetgrass.md) · p. 327 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer/braiding-sweetgrass/we-are-deluged.md) Topics: [ecology](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/ecology.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > “Desperate people do desperate things,” said Spencer-Talbot. “Perhaps if we all did more to make things less desperate, then perhaps there would be less violence.” [Ben Aaronovitch](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-aaronovitch.md) · [Amongst Our Weapons](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-aaronovitch/amongst-our-weapons.md) · p. 240 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-aaronovitch/amongst-our-weapons/desperate-people-do-desperate.md) Topics: [violence](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/violence.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > You chose, as I choose > > to despair, or not > > on a given night or day. > > That despair turned inside out > > you called love. [Ana Castillo](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ana-castillo.md) · [I Ask the Impossible](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ana-castillo/i-ask-the-impossible.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ana-castillo/i-ask-the-impossible/you-chose-as-i-choose.md) Topics: [love](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/love.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > Rage and grief are savage companions, but despair is the final undoing. [Mia Farrow](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mia-farrow.md) · [What Falls Away](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mia-farrow/what-falls-away.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mia-farrow/what-falls-away/rage-and-grief.md) Topics: [anger](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/anger.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md), [grief](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/grief.md) > How do you even choose what to mend when so much has already been destroyed? How could she think, she asked herself, that she could revive or save anything? (p152) [Edwidge Danticat](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edwidge-danticat.md) · [Claire of the Sea Light](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edwidge-danticat/claire-of-the-sea-light.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edwidge-danticat/claire-of-the-sea-light/how-do-you.md) Topics: [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > “There’s still hope.” > > But a small, private voice said: there’s hope, and there’s desperation. [Alastair Reynolds](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alastair-reynolds.md) · [Pushing Ice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alastair-reynolds/pushing-ice.md) · p. 527 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alastair-reynolds/pushing-ice/theres-still-hope.md) Topics: [hope](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hope.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > She had no reason not to believe in the impossible. Desperation was always ready to pray for miracles. [Tanith Lee](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tanith-lee.md) · [Electric Forest](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tanith-lee/electric-forest.md) · p. 32 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tanith-lee/electric-forest/she-had-no-reason.md) Topics: [hope](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hope.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > Nothing is so insufferable to man as to be completely at rest, without passions, without business, without diversion, without study. He then feels his nothingness, his forlornness, his insufficiency, his dependence, his weakness, his emptiness. There will immediately arise from the depth of his heart weariness, gloom, sadness, fretfulness, vexation, despair. [Blaise Pascal](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal.md) · [Pensees](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees/nothing-is-so-insufferable.md) Topics: [boredom](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/boredom.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > Desperation guides us in life. Rationality does not. [Neamat Imam](https://www.leafyquotes.com/neamat-imam.md) · [The Black Coat](https://www.leafyquotes.com/neamat-imam/the-black-coat.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/neamat-imam/the-black-coat/desperation-guides-us-in-life.md) Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > My lord, our immortal philosopher Kagemni, vizier to King Huni, says that patience is man's refuge in times of despair, and his armor against misfortunes. [Naguib Mahfouz](https://www.leafyquotes.com/naguib-mahfouz.md) · [Khufu's Wisdom](https://www.leafyquotes.com/naguib-mahfouz/khufus-wisdom.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/naguib-mahfouz/khufus-wisdom/my-lord-our.md) Topics: [patience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/patience.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > The old man told how he was now worthless and no good to anyone anymore because he was filled with despair, and despair was useless in times such as these. He told him to remain angry, because anger was more useful than despair and would deliver him. But to despair would surely lead to failure and tragedy. [Robert Olmstead](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-olmstead.md) · [Coal Black Horse](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-olmstead/coal-black-horse.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-olmstead/coal-black-horse/the-old-man.md) Topics: [anger](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/anger.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > Writers sometimes cast themselves into the most profound depths of despair in order to master it and move on. [Imre Kertész](https://www.leafyquotes.com/imre-kertesz.md) · [Liquidation](https://www.leafyquotes.com/imre-kertesz/liquidation.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/imre-kertesz/liquidation/writers-sometimes-cast.md) Topics: [writing](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/writing.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > I will avoid despair but if this disease of the mind infects me then I will work on in despair. I will toil and I will endure. I will ignore the obstacles at my feet and keep my eyes on the goals above my head, for I know that where dry desert ends, green grass grows. [Og Mandino](https://www.leafyquotes.com/og-mandino.md) · [The Greatest Salesman in the World](https://www.leafyquotes.com/og-mandino/the-greatest-salesman-in-the-world.md) · p. 66 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/og-mandino/the-greatest-salesman-in-the-world/i-will-avoid.md) Topics: [perseverance](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/perseverance.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > I was drowning in broad daylight and no one could tell. [Sarah Dessen](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sarah-dessen.md) · [Dreamland](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sarah-dessen/dreamland.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sarah-dessen/dreamland/i-was-drowning.md) Topics: [loneliness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loneliness.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > Catherine Earnshaw, may you not rest as long as I am living! You said I killed you — haunt me then! The murdered do haunt their murderers, I believe; I know that ghosts have wandered on earth. Be with me always — take any form — drive me mad! Only do not leave me in this abyss where I can not find you! Oh, God! it is unutterable! I can not live without my life! I can not live without my soul! [Emily Brontë](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emily-bronte.md) · [Wuthering Heights](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emily-bronte/wuthering-heights.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emily-bronte/wuthering-heights/catherine-earnshaw-may.md) Topics: [love](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/love.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > I am very quiet. Let the months and years come, they can take nothing from me, they can take nothing more. I am so alone, and so without hope that I can confront them without fear. The life that has borne me through these years is still in my hands and my eyes. Whether I have subdued it, I know not. But so long as it is there it will seek its own way out, heedless of the will that is within me. [Erich Maria Remarque](https://www.leafyquotes.com/erich-maria-remarque.md) · [All Quiet on the Western Front](https://www.leafyquotes.com/erich-maria-remarque/all-quiet-on-the-western-front.md) · p. 295 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/erich-maria-remarque/all-quiet-on-the-western-front/i-am-very.md) Topics: [loneliness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loneliness.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > Given a choice between existential despair and rapt religious fervor, her crowd chose marijuana. [Gregory Benford](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-benford.md) · [Cosm](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-benford/cosm.md) · p. 282 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-benford/cosm/given-a-choice.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [religion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/religion.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > All I wanted was to die. To never have been born. The whole of my existence did not outweigh this pain. Wasn't worth living through it for one more heartbeat. [Stephenie Meyer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephenie-meyer.md) · [Breaking Dawn](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephenie-meyer/breaking-dawn.md) · p. 377 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephenie-meyer/breaking-dawn/all-i-wanted.md) Topics: [suffering](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/suffering.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > I was like a lost moon — my planet destroyed in some cataclysmic, disaster-movie scenario of desolation — that continued, nevertheless, to circle in a tight little orbit around the empty space left behind, ignoring the laws of gravity. [Stephenie Meyer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephenie-meyer.md) · [New Moon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephenie-meyer/new-moon.md) · p. 201 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephenie-meyer/new-moon/i-was-like.md) Topics: [loss](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loss.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > Despite everything he had or might have (except, of course, another human being), life gave no promise of improvement or even of change. The way things shaped up, he would live out his life with no more than he already had. And how many years was that? Thirty, maybe forty if he didn’t drink himself to death. > > The thought of forty more years of living as he was made him shudder. [Richard Matheson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-matheson.md) · [I Am Legend](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-matheson/i-am-legend.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-matheson/i-am-legend/despite-everything-he-had.md) Topics: [loneliness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loneliness.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > To weary hearts throbbing slowly in hopeless breasts the sweetest thing is rest. [Miles Franklin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miles-franklin.md) · [My Brilliant Career](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miles-franklin/my-brilliant-career.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miles-franklin/my-brilliant-career/to-weary-hearts.md) Topics: [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md), [rest](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/rest.md) > Summer is fiendish, and life is a curse, I said in my heart. What a great dull hard rock the world was! On it were a few barren narrow ledges, and on these, by exerting ourselves so that the force wears off our finger-nails, it allows us to hang for a year or two, and then hurls us off into outer darkness and oblivion, perhaps to endure worse torture than this. [Miles Franklin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miles-franklin.md) · [My Brilliant Career](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miles-franklin/my-brilliant-career.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miles-franklin/my-brilliant-career/summer-is-fiendish.md) Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > A hardness such as this is taught by rough experience and despair alone. [Anne Brontë](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anne-bronte.md) · [The Tenant of Wildfell Hall](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anne-bronte/the-tenant-of-wildfell-hall.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anne-bronte/the-tenant-of-wildfell-hall/a-hardness-such.md) Topics: [experience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/experience.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > Discipline and abstraction of putting my life into words, every day, helped me to cope with shame and its first cousin, despair. - Lin [Gregory David Roberts](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-david-roberts.md) · [Shantaram](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-david-roberts/shantaram.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-david-roberts/shantaram/discipline-and-abstraction.md) Topics: [writing](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/writing.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md), [shame](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/shame.md) > But as the wave expended its force and the waters withdrew, the bleak rocks remained; there was no arguing with fate; neither his despair nor Lyra’s had moved them a single inch. [Philip Pullman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/philip-pullman.md) · [The Amber Spyglass: His Dark Materials 3](https://www.leafyquotes.com/philip-pullman/the-amber-spyglass-his-dark-materials-3.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/philip-pullman/the-amber-spyglass-his-dark-materials-3/but-as-the.md) Topics: [fate](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fate.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > She felt a nausea of the soul, a hideous and sickening despair, a melancholy weariness so profound that she was going to die of it. Her last conscious thought was disgust at life; her senses had lied to her. The world was not made of energy and delight but of foulness, betrayal, and lassitude. Living was hateful, and death was no better, and from end to end of the universe this was the first and last and only truth. > > Thus she stood, bow in hand, indifferent, dead in life. [Philip Pullman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/philip-pullman.md) · [The Subtle Knife: His Dark Materials 2](https://www.leafyquotes.com/philip-pullman/the-subtle-knife-his-dark-materials-2.md) · p. 315 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/philip-pullman/the-subtle-knife-his-dark-materials-2/she-felt-a-nausea.md) Topics: [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > “We are all subject to the fates. But we must all act as if we are not,” said the witch, “or die of despair.” [Philip Pullman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/philip-pullman.md) · [Northern Lights: His Dark Materials 1](https://www.leafyquotes.com/philip-pullman/northern-lights-his-dark-materials-1.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/philip-pullman/northern-lights-his-dark-materials-1/we-are-all.md) Topics: [fate](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fate.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > He could not foresee any future in the future. [Bernard Malamud](https://www.leafyquotes.com/bernard-malamud.md) · [The Fixer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/bernard-malamud/the-fixer.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/bernard-malamud/the-fixer/he-could-not.md) Topics: [the future](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/the-future.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > But did that mean that the urge to live was the result of some sort of illusion? Was the reality, in fact, that nothing mattered and people were fools to think that anything did? Were the choices either despair, the rejection of reason for some idiot faith, or a sort of defensive solipsism? [Iain M. Banks](https://www.leafyquotes.com/iain-m-banks.md) · [The Algebraist](https://www.leafyquotes.com/iain-m-banks/the-algebraist.md) · p. 236 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/iain-m-banks/the-algebraist/but-did-that.md) Topics: [meaning of life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/meaning-of-life.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > Hope could be more painful than despair. [Iain M. Banks](https://www.leafyquotes.com/iain-m-banks.md) · [Against A Dark Background](https://www.leafyquotes.com/iain-m-banks/against-a-dark-background.md) · p. 474 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/iain-m-banks/against-a-dark-background/hope-could-be-more.md) Topics: [hope](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hope.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > Despair has its own calms. [Bram Stoker](https://www.leafyquotes.com/bram-stoker.md) · [Dracula](https://www.leafyquotes.com/bram-stoker/dracula.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/bram-stoker/dracula/despair-has-its.md) Topics: [peace of mind](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/peace-of-mind.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > God, how pointless and empty the world is! Days filled with cheap and tarnished moments succeed each other, restless and haunted nights follow in bitter routine: the sun shines without brightness, and the moon rises without light. [Malcolm Lowry](https://www.leafyquotes.com/malcolm-lowry.md) · [Under the Volcano](https://www.leafyquotes.com/malcolm-lowry/under-the-volcano.md) · p. 346 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/malcolm-lowry/under-the-volcano/god-how-pointless.md) Topics: [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md), [emptiness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/emptiness.md) > White: You give up the world line by line. Stoically. And then one day you realize that your courage is farcical. It doesnt mean anything. You've become an accomplice in your own annihilation and there is nothing you can do about it. Everything you do closes a door somewhere ahead of you. And finally there is only one door left. [Cormac McCarthy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cormac-mccarthy.md) · [The Sunset Limited](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cormac-mccarthy/the-sunset-limited.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cormac-mccarthy/the-sunset-limited/white-you-give.md) Topics: [courage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/courage.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > White: I long for Darkness. I pray for death, real death. And if I thought that in death I would meet the people I knew in life, I don't know what I would do. That would be the ultimate horror, the ultimate nightmare. If I thought I was gonna meet my mother again an' start all of that over, only this time without the prospect of death to look forward to... that would be the final nightmare. Goddamn Kafka on wheels. [Cormac McCarthy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cormac-mccarthy.md) · [The Sunset Limited](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cormac-mccarthy/the-sunset-limited.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cormac-mccarthy/the-sunset-limited/white-i-long.md) Topics: [death](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/death.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > You did not cause his despair. Had you treated him with distrust, you would have achieved nothing but the confirmation of his distress. Distrust—vindicates itself. [Stephen Donaldson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-donaldson.md) · [The Power That Preserves](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-donaldson/the-power-that-preserves.md) · p. 321 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-donaldson/the-power-that-preserves/you-did-not.md) Topics: [trust](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/trust.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > Despair was a heavy blackness that let no light in or out. It was a hell beyond expression. I thank God it always passed. A school of fish appeared around the net or a knot cried out to be reknotted. Or I thought of my family, of how they were spared this terrible agony. The blackness would stir and eventually go away, and God would remain, a shining point of light in my heart. I would go on loving. [Yann Martel](https://www.leafyquotes.com/yann-martel.md) · [Life Of Pi](https://www.leafyquotes.com/yann-martel/life-of-pi.md) · p. 232 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/yann-martel/life-of-pi/despair-was-a-heavy.md) Topics: [love](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/love.md), [god](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/god.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > Most of all I was numb, but there were moments when the pain cut through like a shard of broken glass. I began to understand how despair led people to just cash it in; how suicide wasn't just an option but a rational option. [Joe Biden](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joe-biden.md) · [Promises to Keep](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joe-biden/promises-to-keep.md) · p. 80 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joe-biden/promises-to-keep/most-of-all.md) Topics: [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md), [suicide](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/suicide.md) > There are always sources of desolation that aren't taken into account because no one knows what they will be. [Nadine Gordimer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nadine-gordimer.md) · [Burger's Daughter](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nadine-gordimer/burgers-daughter.md) · p. 15 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nadine-gordimer/burgers-daughter/there-are-always.md) Topics: [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > When I had first caught sight of Matthew I saw the beauty in everything. Now I saw only ugliness and decay. All beauty was in the past. Again and again I wrote in poems, in notes, on scraps of paper. My whole life stretched out gloriously behind me. If I wrote that sick phrase once, I wrote it fifty times. And I believed it, too. [Stephen Fry](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-fry.md) · [Moab Is My Washpot](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-fry/moab-is-my-washpot.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-fry/moab-is-my-washpot/when-i-had.md) Topics: [beauty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/beauty.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > “We are still ruled, in some ways, by our Church. We are a people more cursed by religion and its manifestations and assumptions than any other. The Steel Tsar, with his messianic socialism, offers us religion again, perhaps. You English have never had quite the same need for God. We have known despair and conquest too often to ignore Him altogether.” He shrugged. “Old habits, Mr Bastable. Religion is the panacea for defeat. We have a great tendency to rationalize our despair in mystical and utopian terms.” [Michael Moorcock](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-moorcock.md) · [The Steel Tsar](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-moorcock/the-steel-tsar.md) · p. 361 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-moorcock/the-steel-tsar/we-are-still.md) Topics: [religion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/religion.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > “Better the myth of happiness,” Harlequin murmured, “than the myth of despair.” [Michael Moorcock](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-moorcock.md) · [The Condition of Muzak](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-moorcock/the-condition-of-muzak.md) · p. 786 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-moorcock/the-condition-of-muzak/better-the-myth.md) Topics: [happiness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/happiness.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > I had now reached that phase of the disorder where all sense of hope had vanished, along with the idea of a futurity; my brain, in thrall to its outlaw hormones, had become less an organ of thought than an instrument registering, minute by minute, varying degrees of its own suffering. [William Styron](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-styron.md) · [Darkness Visible](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-styron/darkness-visible.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-styron/darkness-visible/i-had-now.md) Topics: [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md), [depression](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/depression.md) > It means you don’t like where you’ve been, the place where you are is grim, and the only place you see yourself going is not an improvement on what’s gone before. [Samuel R. Delany](https://www.leafyquotes.com/samuel-r-delany.md) · [Out of the Dead City](https://www.leafyquotes.com/samuel-r-delany/out-of-the-dead-city.md) · p. 48 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/samuel-r-delany/out-of-the-dead-city/it-means-you.md) Topics: [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > Ay, Faustus, now hast thou no hope of heaven > > Therefore despair! Think only upon hell, > > For that must be thy mansion, there to dwell. [Christopher Marlowe](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-marlowe.md) · [Doctor Faustus](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-marlowe/doctor-faustus.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-marlowe/doctor-faustus/ay-faustus-now.md) Topics: [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md), [hell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hell.md) > Accursed Faustus, wretch, what hast thou done? > > I do repent, and yet I do despair. > > Hell strives with grace for conquest in my breast. > > What shall I do to shun the snares of death? [Christopher Marlowe](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-marlowe.md) · [Doctor Faustus](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-marlowe/doctor-faustus.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-marlowe/doctor-faustus/accursed-faustus-wretch.md) Topics: [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md), [sin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/sin.md) > There is no greater impotence in all the world like knowing you are right and that the wave of the world is wrong, yet the wave crashes upon you. [Norman Mailer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/norman-mailer.md) · [The Armies of the Night](https://www.leafyquotes.com/norman-mailer/the-armies-of-the-night.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/norman-mailer/the-armies-of-the-night/there-is-no-greater.md) Topics: [truth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/truth.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > Despair speaks evenly, in a quiet voice. [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin.md) · [Tehanu](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin/tehanu.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin/tehanu/despair-speaks-evenly.md) Topics: [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > I shake like a ship in a storm. It is a fact that even warming moments overwhelm me with despair, and this is why I am I. [Morrissey](https://www.leafyquotes.com/morrissey.md) · [Autobiography](https://www.leafyquotes.com/morrissey/autobiography.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/morrissey/autobiography/i-shake-like.md) Topics: [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > From my infancy I was imbued with high hopes and a lofty ambition; but how am I sunk! Oh! My friend, if you had known me as I once was, you would not recognize me in this state of degradation. Despondency rarely visited my heart; a high destiny seemed to bear me on, until I fell, never, never again to rise. [Mary Shelley](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mary-shelley.md) · [Frankenstein](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mary-shelley/frankenstein.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mary-shelley/frankenstein/from-my-infancy.md) Topics: [ambition](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/ambition.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > To me the walls of a dungeon or a palace were alike hateful. The cup of life was poisoned forever, and although the sun shone upon me, as upon the happy and gay of heart, I saw around me nothing but a dense and frightful darkness... [Mary Shelley](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mary-shelley.md) · [Frankenstein](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mary-shelley/frankenstein.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mary-shelley/frankenstein/to-me-the.md) Topics: [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > Not the tenderness of friendship, nor the beauty of earth, nor of heaven, could redeem my soul from woe; the very accents of love were ineffectual. I was encompassed by a cloud which no beneficial influence could penetrate. [Mary Shelley](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mary-shelley.md) · [Frankenstein](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mary-shelley/frankenstein.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mary-shelley/frankenstein/not-the-tenderness.md) Topics: [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > Here then at long last is my darkness. No cry of light, no glimmer, not even the faintest shard of hope to break free across the hold. > > I will become, have become, a creature unstirred by history, no longer moved by the present, just hungry, blind and at long last filled of mindless wrath. [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mark-z-danielewski.md) · [House of Leaves](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mark-z-danielewski/house-of-leaves.md) · p. 497 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mark-z-danielewski/house-of-leaves/here-then-at-long.md) Topics: [anger](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/anger.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > But nothing lasts, not even stone, not even despair. [Kim Stanley Robinson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kim-stanley-robinson.md) · [Green Mars](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kim-stanley-robinson/green-mars.md) · p. 127 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kim-stanley-robinson/green-mars/but-nothing-lasts.md) Topics: [transience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/transience.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > Desperation is the raw material of drastic change. Only those who can leave behind everything they have ever believed in can hope to escape. [William S. Burroughs](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-s-burroughs.md) · [The Western Lands](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-s-burroughs/the-western-lands.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-s-burroughs/the-western-lands/desperation-is-the.md) Topics: [change](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/change.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > When a third wave of poverty overwhelmed me, I knew with even greater certitude than when I lived in Clerkenwell that the only complete solution to my problems was suicide. I never brought it off. I was afraid... Hopelessness was thinly spread like a drizzle over my whole outlook. But, in an emergency, I could not find a puddle of despondency deep enough to drown in. [Quentin Crisp](https://www.leafyquotes.com/quentin-crisp.md) · [The Naked Civil Servant](https://www.leafyquotes.com/quentin-crisp/the-naked-civil-servant.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/quentin-crisp/the-naked-civil-servant/when-a-third.md) Topics: [poverty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/poverty.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md), [suicide](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/suicide.md) > Where one person sees cause of rejoicing, another sees only reason for despair. Pray that you are the former. [Frank Herbert](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert.md) · [Dune](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/dune.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/dune/where-one-person.md) Topics: [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md) > Despair is only for those who see the end beyond all doubt. We do not. [J. R. R. Tolkien](https://www.leafyquotes.com/j-r-r-tolkien.md) · [The Fellowship of the Ring](https://www.leafyquotes.com/j-r-r-tolkien/the-fellowship-of-the-ring.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/j-r-r-tolkien/the-fellowship-of-the-ring/despair-is-only.md) Topics: [hope](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hope.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > In every way that counted, I was dead. Inside somewhere maybe I was screaming and weeping and howling like an animal, but that was another person deep inside, another person who had no access to the face and lips and mouth and head, so on the surface I just shrugged and smiled and kept moving. [Neil Gaiman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/neil-gaiman.md) · [Fragile Things](https://www.leafyquotes.com/neil-gaiman/fragile-things.md) · p. 82 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/neil-gaiman/fragile-things/in-every-way.md) Topics: [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md), [emptiness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/emptiness.md) > But what we call our despair is often only the painful eagerness of unfed hope. [George Eliot](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-eliot.md) · [Middlemarch](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-eliot/middlemarch.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-eliot/middlemarch/but-what-we-call.md) Topics: [hope](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hope.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > There is no despair so absolute as that which comes with the first moments of our first great sorrow, when we have not yet known what it is to have suffered and be healed, to have despaired and to have recovered hope. [George Eliot](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-eliot.md) · [Adam Bede](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-eliot/adam-bede.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-eliot/adam-bede/there-is-no-despair.md) Topics: [hope](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hope.md), [sadness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/sadness.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > Life was created in the valleys. It blew up onto the hills on the old terrors, the old lusts, the old despairs. That's why you must walk up the hills so you can ride down. [William Faulkner](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-faulkner.md) · [As I Lay Dying](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-faulkner/as-i-lay-dying.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-faulkner/as-i-lay-dying/life-was-created.md) Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md), [fear](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fear.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > What are you waiting for in order to give up? [Emil Cioran](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emil-cioran.md) · [The Trouble With Being Born](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emil-cioran/the-trouble-with-being-born.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emil-cioran/the-trouble-with-being-born/what-are-you.md) Topics: [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md), [pessimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pessimism.md) > We define only out of despair, we must have a formula... to give a facade to the void. [Emil Cioran](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emil-cioran.md) · [A Short History of Decay](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emil-cioran/a-short-history-of-decay.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emil-cioran/a-short-history-of-decay/we-define-only.md) Topics: [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md), [emptiness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/emptiness.md) > Why do you lack the strength to escape the obligation to breathe? [Emil Cioran](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emil-cioran.md) · [A Short History of Decay](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emil-cioran/a-short-history-of-decay.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emil-cioran/a-short-history-of-decay/why-do-you.md) Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > But where is the antidote for lucid despair, perfectly articulated, proud, and sure? All of us are miserable, but how many know it? The consciousness of misery is too serious a disease to figure in an arithmetic of agonies or in the catalogues of the Incurable. It belittles the prestige of hell, and converts the slaughterhouses of time into idyls. What sin have you committed to be born, what crime to exist? Your suffering like your fate is without motive. To suffer, truly to suffer, is to accept the invasion of ills without the excuse of causality, as a favor of demented nature, as a negative miracle. . . [Emil Cioran](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emil-cioran.md) · [A Short History of Decay](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emil-cioran/a-short-history-of-decay.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emil-cioran/a-short-history-of-decay/but-where-is-the.md) Topics: [suffering](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/suffering.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > So it is that after each night, facing a new day, the impossible necessity of dealing with it fills us with dread; exiled in light as if the world had just started, inventing the sun, we flee from tears—just one of which would be enough to wash us out of time. [Emil Cioran](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emil-cioran.md) · [A Short History of Decay](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emil-cioran/a-short-history-of-decay.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emil-cioran/a-short-history-of-decay/so-it-is-that.md) Topics: [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > Man is born to suffer; pain is the means of his preservation. His childhood is happy, knowing only pain of body. These bodily sufferings are much less cruel, much less painful, than other forms of suffering, and they rarely lead to self-destruction. It is not the twinges of gout which make a man kill himself, it is mental suffering that leads to despair. We pity the sufferings of childhood; we should pity ourselves; our worst sorrows are of our own making. [Jean Jacques Rousseau](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau.md) · [Emile; or On Education](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education/man-is-born.md) Topics: [suffering](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/suffering.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > Science does not give Don Quixote what he demands of it. "Then let him not make the demand," it will be said, "let him resign himself, let him accept life and truth as they are." But he does not accept them as they are, and he asks for signs, urged thereto by Sancho, who stands by his side. And it is not that Don Quixote does not understand what those understand who talk thus to him, those who succeed in resigning themselves and accepting rational life and rational truth. No, it is that the needs of his heart are greater. Pedantry? Who knows!... And he wishes, unhappy man, to rationalize the irrational and irrationalize the rational. And he sinks into despair of the critical century whose two greatest victims were Nietzsche and Tolstoi. And through this despair he reaches the heroic fury of which Giordano Bruno spoke — that intellectual Don Quixote who escaped from the cloister — and became an awakener of sleeping souls (dormitantium animorum excubitor), as the ex-Dominican said of himself — he who wrote: "Heroic love is the property of those superior natures who are called insane (insano) not because they do not know, but because they over-know (soprasanno)." [Miguel de Unamuno](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miguel-de-unamuno.md) · [Tragic Sense of Life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miguel-de-unamuno/tragic-sense-of-life.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miguel-de-unamuno/tragic-sense-of-life/science-does-not.md) Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [madness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/madness.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > And the other Don Quixote remained here among us, fighting with desperation. And does he not fight out of despair? ...But "despair is the master of possibilities," as we learn from Salazar y Torres (Elegir al enemigo, Act I.), and it is despair and despair alone that begets heroic hope, absurd hope, mad hope. Spero quia absurdum [I hope because it is absurd], it ought to have been said, rather than credo [Credo quia absurdam — I believe because it is absurd]. [Miguel de Unamuno](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miguel-de-unamuno.md) · [Tragic Sense of Life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miguel-de-unamuno/tragic-sense-of-life.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miguel-de-unamuno/tragic-sense-of-life/and-the-other.md) Topics: [hope](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hope.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md) > The strongest and the fiercest spirit > > That fought in heaven, now fiercer by despair. [John Milton](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-milton.md) · [Paradise Lost](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-milton/paradise-lost.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-milton/paradise-lost/the-strongest-and.md) Topics: [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md)