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That can happen when people die, the argument with them…

“That can happen when people die, the argument with them drops away and people so flawed while they were drawing breath that at times they were all but unbearable now assert themselves in the most appealing way, and what was least to your liking the day before yesterday becomes in the limousine…” quote by Philip Roth
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“That can happen when people die, the argument with them drops away and people so flawed while they were drawing breath that at times they were all but unbearable now assert themselves in the most appealing way, and what was least to your liking the day before yesterday becomes in the limousine behind the hearse a cause not only for sympathetic amusement but for admiration”

Philip Roth

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

When someone dies, their flaws become less harsh, and their once‑unpleasant traits can be romanticized after death.

In simple terms: Death can soften how we view others.

Key Takeaway

Recognize the tendency to idealize the deceased.

Themes

mortality perception memory

Mood

reflective melancholic

Type

philosophical observational

When to use this quote

  • grief counseling
  • family gatherings
  • historical reflection

Key Concepts

psychology nostalgia

Questions to Reflect On

  • Do you notice this in your own life?
  • How does it affect your relationships?
A Different Perspective

Idealizing the dead can obscure accountability.

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