Notes of a Crocodile

by Qiu Miaojin

“The thing is, you’re more strongly inclined toward realism than I am, so it’s easier for you to escape yourself. I completely envy you. That’s a commendable strength.”

You’re trapped, so you force yourself to adapt after a while. Otherwise, if you start thinking too much, you’ll suffocate. But once you become stronger than your surroundings, the absurdity will come to an end.”

A lightbulb had gone on in my head: I had to take responsibility for my state of misery. This was a major turning point, my first step in learning to open up.

‘Only healthy people are capable of being in love. Using love to treat an illness just makes the illness even worse.’

Life is a process of awakening by degrees, in depth and in scope. At its most profound moments, you experience wholeness.

Unhappiness is a lot like bad weather: It’s out of your control.