The quote highlights the dire circumstances of individuals in deep pain or crisis, comparing their plight to being stabbed. In such moments, seeking happiness is not the priority; instead, the focus shifts to survival and enduring the suffering. The urgency of the situation overshadows the traditional pursuit of joy.

Hornby suggests that once a person is in a critical state, like having a knife in their stomach, the issues at hand are far more pressing than mere happiness. They must decide between confronting their pain, which could lead to further suffering, or finding a way to manage it to stay alive. This analogy serves to illustrate the complexities of human experience when faced with profound distress.