"An affair wants to spill, to share its glory with the world. No act is so private it does not seek applause"

This quote by John Updike talks to the human desire for acknowledgment and validation. It recommends that even the most private of acts, such as an affair, is driven by a need to be seen and appreciated. This requirement for recognition is so strong that it can even bypass the desire for secrecy. Updike implies that even when we try to keep something hidden, we still want to share it with the world and get the admiration and applause that includes it. This quote speaks to the power of human nature and the requirement for acknowledgment and recognition that drives us. It is a reminder that even our most personal moments are not immune to the desire for recognition and approval.