It will generally be found that, as soon as the terrors of…
““It will generally be found that, as soon as the terrors of life reach the point at which they outweigh the terrors of death, a man will put an end to his life. But the terrors of death offer considerable resistance; they stand like a sentinel at the gate leading out of this world. Perhaps there is no man alive who would not have already put an end to his life, if this end had been of a purely negative character, a sudden stoppage of existence. There is something positive about it; it is the destruction of the body; and a man shrinks from that, because his body is the manifestation of the will to live.””
About This Quote
Source Philosophy: The World as Will and Representation, 1818
When life's fears outweigh death's, a person may consider ending life, but death's finality resists, and the body's destruction is feared because it represents the will to live.
In simple terms: Fear of death's finality can deter suicide despite life's terrors.
Key Takeaway
Understand the complex relationship between fear, death, and will to live.
Themes
existentialism
death
will to live
psychology
Mood
somber
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
existential
When to use this quote
- counseling
- end‑of‑life care
- mental health support
Key Concepts
philosophy
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What gives life meaning beyond the physical?
- How do we balance fear of death with fear of life?
A Different Perspective
The quote may overlook social and relational reasons for living beyond bodily will.