Balance Quote by Alison Hawthorne Deming
“As deaths have accumulated I have begun to think of life and death as a set of balance scales. When one is young, the scale is heavily tipped toward the living. With the first death, the first consciousness of death, the counter scale begins to fall. Death by death, the scales shift weight until what was unthinkable becomes merely a matter of gravity and the fall into death becomes an easy step.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Balance of Life and Death" by Alison Hawthorne Deming, 2015
The quote reflects on how personal experience with death gradually shifts our perception, making mortality feel more ordinary and less terrifying over time.
In simple terms: Experiencing death changes how we view life and mortality.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge loss, but keep living fully.
Themes
mortality
perception
balance
growth
Mood
reflective
somber
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
poetic
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal loss
- caregiving
- ageing
- healthcare
- spiritual reflection
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
grief
Questions to Reflect On
- How does repeated loss affect your daily choices?
- Can acceptance of death coexist with a zest for life?
A Different Perspective
The shift may lead to desensitization or fatalism, reducing appreciation for life.
