Life is what we are alive to. It is not length, but…
“Life is what we are alive to. It is not length, but breadth. To be alive only to appetite, pleasure, pride, money-making, and not to goodness and kindness, purity and love, history, poetry, music, flowers, stars, God and eternal hopes, it is to be all but dead.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote defines life by its depth and richness rather than its length, warning that focusing solely on material pursuits leads to a dead existence.
In simple terms: Life's value lies in depth, not duration; materialism empties life.
Pursue meaningful, compassionate living.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- community service
- creative pursuits
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What does a 'full' life look like for you?
- How can you prioritize depth over length?
Material goals can dominate societal values.