Bed Quote by Arthur Koestler
“Death tripped down the corridor, changing step, struck out here and there, danced pirouettes; often I felt his breath on my face when he was miles away; often I fell asleep and dreamed while he stood leaning over my bed.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Death of the Mind, 1945
Describes death as an ever-present, dancing figure that intermittently touches life, blending fear with intimacy.
In simple terms: Death is a lingering, intimate presence.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge death's subtle influence on life.
Themes
mortality
existence
intimacy
Mood
somber
contemplative
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- grief counseling
- philosophical reflection
- artistic expression
Key Concepts
Personification
inevitability
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does viewing death as a dancer affect coping?
- What comfort can intimacy with mortality bring?
A Different Perspective
May anthropomorphize death.
![“Leave a cavity behind the [wall] facings, and on the inside build walls two feet thick, made of red dimension stone or burnt brick or lava in courses, and then bind them to the fronts by means of iron clamps and lead. The beds and builds, all settling equally and bonded at the joints, will not let…” quote by Marcus Vitruvius Pollio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d76/marcus-vitruvius-pollio-7498_bed_leave-a-cavity-behind-the-wall-facings-a_5922.jpg)
