Most things break, including hearts. The lessons of life amount not to wisdom, but to scar tissue and callus

Most things break, including hearts. The lessons of life amount not to wisdom, but to scar tissue and callus

Wallace Stegner, a renowned American author and environmentalist, often explored themes of loss, resilience, and the passage of time in his works. The quote “Most things break, including hearts. The lessons of life amount not to wisdom, but to scar tissue and callus” encapsulates the essence of Stegner’s philosophy on life and the human experience.

Stegner’s characters often grapple with the harsh realities of life, facing heartbreak, betrayal, and disappointment. In his novel “Angle of Repose,” the protagonist, Lyman Ward, reflects on the failures and tragedies that have shaped his life, ultimately coming to terms with the impermanence of relationships and the inevitability of loss. Through his characters, Stegner explores the idea that life is a series of trials and tribulations, each leaving its mark on the individual in the form of emotional scars and calluses.

Stegner’s writing is imbued with a sense of melancholy and nostalgia, as he delves into the complexities of human relationships and the ways in which they can both uplift and destroy us. His characters often struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world that is fraught with pain and suffering, yet they ultimately find solace in the resilience of the human spirit.

The quote also speaks to Stegner’s belief in the transformative power of adversity. Just as a broken bone heals stronger at the point of fracture, so too do our hearts and minds develop resilience and strength in the face of life’s challenges. Through hardship and loss, we learn to adapt, to grow, and to find beauty in the scars that mark our journey through life.