Who hasn't thought about killing themselves, as a kid? How…
““Who hasn't thought about killing themselves, as a kid? How can you grow up in this world and not think about it? It's an option taken by a lot of successful people: Ernest Hemingway, Socrates, Jesus. Even before high school, I thought that it would be a cool thing to do if I ever got really famous. If I kept making my maps, for instance, and some art collector came across them and decided to make them worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, if I killed myself at the height of that, they'd be worth millions of dollars, and I wouldn't be responsible for them anymore. I'd have left behind something that spoke for itself.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Explores suicidal thoughts as a dark curiosity, especially among high‑achievers, and the desire for legacy.
In simple terms: Even successful people sometimes think about suicide and legacy.
Key Takeaway
Seek help, value life.
Themes
mental health
existential
legacy
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
psychological
cautionary
When to use this quote
- personal crisis
- creative pressure
- mental health support
Key Concepts
suicidal ideation
psychology
fame
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives the link between fame and suicidal thoughts?
- How can we support those feeling hopeless?
A Different Perspective
Romanticizing death can be harmful.