"If you can think of times in your life that you've treated people with extraordinary decency and love, and pure uninterested concern, just because they were valuable as human beings. The ability to do that with ourselves. To treat ourselves the way we would treat a really good, precious friend. Or a tiny child of ours that we absolutely loved more than life itself. And I think it's probably possible to achieve that. I think part of the job we're here for is to learn how to do it. I know that sounds a little pious." -David Foster WallaceThis quote actually comes from a transcript from David Foster Wallace talking with journalist Dave Lipsky on a road trip years ago. It’s kind of sad to read the quote when you know that Foster Wallace ended up taking his on life in 2008.
David Foster Wallace was a gifted writer but struggled with depression. It’s a shame that he wasn’t able to treat himself with greater compassion. Some of the writing he left behind is extraordinary; he’s almost got a cult-like following. I just happen to like this quote a lot (as well as several others by Wallace).
