Thus I progressed on the surface of life, in the realm of words as it were, never in reality. All those books barely read, those friends barely loved, those cities barely visited, those women barely possessed! I went through the gestures out of boredom or absent-mindedness. Then came human beings; they wanted to cling, but there was nothing to cling to, and that was unfortunate--for them. As for me, I forgot. I never remembered anything but myself.

Summary

The quote reflects on a life lived superficially, caught up in the world of words and gestures without experiencing true connection or engagement. The individual admits to not fully experiencing books, friendships, cities, or romantic relationships, only going through the motions. While others seek meaningful connections, the individual is detached and self-absorbed, ultimately forgetting everything except their own existence. The quote suggests a missed opportunity for deep connections, highlighting the unfortunate consequences for others but a seemingly indifferent attitude from the author.

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