Aldous Huxley’s Point Counter Point is a sobering look at the interconnected plots of its central characters, none of whom live wholly satisfying lives or have favorable views of people or society. The bleak, rational tone of the novel reflects its equally nihilistic views on humanity and its exploration of human motive. As such, relevant quotes from the novel should focus on these themes.

One of the most important quotes comes in chapter 1:

He was free. Free from recollection and anticipation. Free, for an hour or two, to refuse to admit the existence of past or future. Free to live only now and here, in the place where his body happened at each instant to be.

This quote describes Walter Bidlake’s thoughts after he lies to his mistress, Marjorie, about the reason he won’t be at their party. Walter feels both disgusted with himself for being so deceitful and annoyed with Marjorie for not allowing him to do as he wishes “in peace.” Walter’s desire for complete autonomy free from the judgment of others is echoed in other characters throughout the text, and this quote is the first introduction of this concept.

In chapter 17, there is a quote about another character’s interpretation of life:

Because that’s what life finally is—hateful and boring; that’s what human beings are, when they’re left to themselves—hateful and boring again. Because once one’s damned, one ought to damn oneself doubly.

This quote is spoken by Spandrell, who is responding to Phillip’s question about why Spandrell continues his life of debauchery if he finds it so dull. Spandrell asserts in this quote that regardless, life is nothing but boredom and hatefulness, representing the nihilistic view of existence. Spandrell is dedicated to a life of wrongdoing because he already believes everything and everyone is evil at the core, and thus there is no point in trying to be good—even if evil bores him.

A third important quote worth analyzing comes in the final chapter of the novel:

Even if it’s meaningless, he thought, it’s beautiful, so long as it lasts. And maybe it’s not meaningless.

This quote describes Spandrell’s thoughts on the Beethoven piece he is listening to with Rampion and Mary in his apartment. This is the last thought Spandrell has, as he is shot and killed mere moments later by members of the Freemen. This quote represents how Spandrell has changed over the course of the text. While he still remains skeptical and nihilistic to an extent, he finally questions whether or not his viewpoint is the truest interpretation of life. The sheer beauty of Beethoven’s spiritual expression via music moves Spandrell in a way that he cannot quite explain. He understands that while life might after all be meaningless as he has believed, he could also be wrong, and regardless of whether he is right or wrong, life is still beautiful.