Quotessence
Home / Quotes / Quote by David Foster Wallace

Quote by David Foster Wallace

“Suppose I were to give you a key ring [...] with a hundred keys, and I were to tell you that one of these keys will unlock it, this door we're imagining opening in onto all you want to be, as a player. How many of the keys would you be willing to try?' [...] 'Well I'd try every darn one,' Rader tells Lyle. [...] 'Then you are willing to make mistakes, you see. You are saying you will accept 99% error. The paralyzed perfectionist you say you are would stand there before that door. Jingling the keys. Afraid to try the first key.”

Quote by David Foster Wallace

Work

Infinite Jest

David Foster Wallace's Infinite Jest is a sprawling, experimental novel that delves into the lives of various characters, including an enigmatic tennis prodigy, a recovering addict, and a group of individuals living in a halfway house. The narrative is known for its intricate structure, extensive footnotes, and philosophical musings on the nature of reality and human experience. more

Author

David Foster Wallace
David Foster Wallace

American novelist known for his unique literary style and profound insights into modern life. His works include 'Infinite Jest' and 'The Broom of the System'. more

You May Also Like

“There isn’t a good side and a bad side of you or of anybody, so there’s no need to be at war with yourself or anyone or anything at all. All we are is a bunch of dozy people in the process of waking up. All we really need to do is try gently to be open to continuing that process. It’s no good getting worked up about stuff – it’s better to relax and laugh at our mistakes, then figure out how to learn from them and move on.”