Quote by Richard Yates
Intelligent, thinking people could take things like this in their stride, just as they took the larger absurdities of deadly dull jobs in the city and deadly dull homes in the suburbs. Economic circumstances might force you to live in this environment, but the important thing was to keep from being contaminated. The important thing, always, was to remember who you were.
Summary
This quote highlights the resilience of intelligent individuals in the face of mundane and monotonous circumstances. It suggests that while external factors like economic necessity may propel people into unfulfilling environments, maintaining a sense of oneself is crucial. The quote urges individuals to rise above the mundane and not allow their surroundings to shape or taint their identity. It implies that intelligent individuals are aware of the need to stay true to their sense of self, even when faced with absurdities or conformity in their jobs or living situations.