Death and life Quote by E.E. Cummings
““pity this busy monster, manunkind' pity this busy monster, manunkind, not. Progress is a comfortable disease: your victim (death and life safely beyond) plays with the bigness of his littleness --- electrons deify one razorblade into a mountainrange; lenses extend unwish through curving wherewhen till unwish returns on its unself. A world of made is not a world of born --- pity poor flesh and trees, poor stars and stones, but never this fine specimen of hypermagical ultraomnipotence. We doctors know a hopeless case if --- listen: there's a hell of a good universe next door; let's go””
About This Quote
Source Poem: Untitled (c. 1920s)
The poem critiques modern progress as a disease that inflates trivialities, urging awareness of humanity’s fragile existence.
In simple terms: Progress can distort reality and hide our frailty.
Key Takeaway
Question the true cost of advancement.
Themes
progress
fragility
illusion
technology
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- environmental activism
- tech ethics
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
Existentialism
critique of modernity
Questions to Reflect On
- What aspects of modern life feel inflated or hollow?
- How can we balance innovation with humility?
A Different Perspective
The abstract style may obscure practical meaning for some readers.
