Imagine staying until I witness the end of my world. People go, men and women, and I remain a stranger among strangers, fleeing from place to place, eternally pursued, going crazy, wishing for death... -Keep your youth forever? You give birth to children and flee from them, and with each generation you prepare yourself for a new life, and with each generation the wife and children cry, and you become naturalized with the nationality of eternal exile, without any interest, thought, or emotion connecting you to anyone...
by Naguib Mahfouz
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The quote reflects the deep feelings of isolation and despair experienced by an individual who feels like a perpetual outsider in a world marked by transience and loss. The narrator grapples with the ongoing cycle of life and death, witnessing loved ones come and go, while they remain a stranger to themselves and others. Their life feels like a ceaseless flight from one place to another, resulting in a profound sense of madness and a longing for escape from the pain of existence.

As the cycle continues with each new generation, the narrator highlights the emotional toll of parenthood and the inevitability of separation. Despite giving life to children, they feel compelled to flee, leading to heartache for both themselves and their family. This sense of disconnection creates a condition of eternal exile, where no true bond or sense of belonging can be formed, leaving the narrator devoid of interest or emotional ties, forever trapped in a state of longing and solitude.

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January 24, 2025

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