Quote by Robert Silverberg
To devote oneself to vigilance when the enemy is an imaginary one is idle, and to congratulate oneself for looking long and well for a foe that is not coming is foolish and sinful. My life has been a waste.
Summary
In this quote, the speaker expresses regret and self-criticism for wasting their life focusing on an imagined enemy and being excessively alert for a threat that never materialized. They argue that dedicating oneself to vigilance and congratulating oneself for preemptively searching for a nonexistent foe is both idle and foolish. By acknowledging their misdirected efforts, the speaker implies that they have missed out on meaningful experiences or opportunities and sees their existence as futile.