"A vacuum is a hell of a lot better than some of the stuff that nature replaces it with"
- Tennessee Williams
About this Quote
This quote by Tennessee Williams is a commentary on the concept that in some cases, the absence of something can be preferable to the existence of something else. He is recommending that a vacuum, or an empty space, is frequently much better than the important things that nature may fill it with. This might be translated as a metaphor for life, because in some cases it is better to have absolutely nothing than to have something that is not desirable. Williams is indicating that it is better to have a void than to have something that is not advantageous or preferable. He is suggesting that it is better to have absolutely nothing than to have something that is not beneficial or preferable. This quote could likewise be analyzed as a commentary on the idea that sometimes, it is much better to accept the lack of something than to accept something that is not preferable. Williams is suggesting that it is better to accept the emptiness of a vacuum than to accept something that is not beneficial or preferable.