Salman Rushdie's quote highlights the fragility of meaning in our lives, suggesting that it is constructed from a patchwork of experiences, beliefs, and influences. He reflects on the various components that shape our understanding, including personal history, societal narratives, and the opinions of others. The complexity of this process indicates that our perceptions of reality are often built on an unstable foundation.

This instability may lead us to cling to our beliefs with extreme tenacity, sometimes to the point of defending them aggressively. Rushdie implies that the inauthentic materials from which we construct our sense of truth cause us to be fiercely protective of our views. This intense defense of personal meaning can result in conflict and even violence, as individuals hold tightly to their subjective interpretations of reality.