Birth Quote by Ambrose Bierce
“BIRTH, n. The first and direst of all disasters. As to the nature of it there appears to be no uniformity. Castor and Pollux were born from the egg. Pallas came out of a skull. Galatea was once a block of stone. Peresilis, who wrote in the tenth century, avers that he grew up out of the ground where a priest had spilled holy water. It is known that Arimaxus was derived from a hole in the earth, made by a stroke of lightning. Leucomedon was the son of a cavern in Mount Etna, and I have myself seen a man come out of a wine cellar.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Devil's Dictionary, 1906
Birth is portrayed as a chaotic, unpredictable event, often linked to mythic or supernatural origins, highlighting life's inherent disorder.
In simple terms: Birth is seen as a chaotic, unpredictable event.
Key Takeaway
Accept life's unpredictability.
Themes
myth
chaos
origin
life
disaster
Mood
dark
reflective
philosophical
Type
aphilosophical
critical
literary
When to use this quote
- family planning
- birth counseling
- philosophical reflection
- creative writing
Key Concepts
existentialism
mythology
ontological uncertainty
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this perspective affect your view of life?
- Can chaos be embraced as creative force?
A Different Perspective
The view may overlook the joy and purpose many find in birth.
