--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Death destroys a man: the idea of Death…" description: "\"“Death destroys a man: the idea of Death saves him.”\" — E.M. Forster" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/801/e-m-forster-2-1148_death_death-destroys-a-man-the-idea-of-death-s_1524849.jpg" --- # Death destroys a man: the idea of Death saves him. ![“Death destroys a man: the idea of Death saves him.” quote by E.M. Forster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/801/e-m-forster-2-1148_death_death-destroys-a-man-the-idea-of-death-s_1524849.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/801/e-m-forster-2-1148_death_death-destroys-a-man-the-idea-of-death-s_1524849.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/801/e-m-forster-2-1148_death_death-destroys-a-man-the-idea-of-death-s_1524849.jpg) > ““Death destroys a man: the idea of Death saves him.”” [E.M. Forster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-m-forster-2/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Contemplating mortality, the concept of death can give life meaning and urgency. **In simple terms:** Thinking about death can motivate us to live fully. Key Takeaway Embrace the awareness of death to cherish life. Themes mortality meaning urgency Mood reflective serious Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal growth - creative work - relationships - health decisions Key Concepts existentialism philosophy Questions to Reflect On - How does awareness of death change your priorities? - What actions become more important when you consider mortality? A Different Perspective Focusing solely on death can lead to anxiety or nihilism. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) ## Related quotes > [Death destroys a man, but the idea of death saves him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-m-forster/death-destroys-a-man-but-the-idea-of-death-saves-him/) [E. M. Forster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-m-forster/) > [Though the physicality of death destroys us, the idea of death may save us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irvin-d-yalom/though-the-physicality-of-death-destroys-us-the-idea-of-death-may/) [Irvin D. Yalom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irvin-d-yalom/) > [“If we lived for ever, what you say would be true. But we have to die, we have to leave life presently. Injustice and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-m-forster-2/if-we-lived-for-ever-what-you-say-would-be-true-but-we-have-to-die-we/) [E.M. 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Forster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-m-forster-2/) > [“But the poetry of that kiss, the wonder of it, the magic that there was in life for hours after it--who can describe that?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-m-forster-2/but-the-poetry-of-that-kiss-the-wonder-of-it-the-magic-that-there-was/) [E.M. Forster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-m-forster-2/) > [“But that some sonatas of Beethoven are written tragic no one can gainsay; yet they can triumph or despair as the player decides, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-m-forster-2/but-that-some-sonatas-of-beethoven-are-written-tragic-no-one-can/) [E.M. Forster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-m-forster-2/) > [“He chanced to be in a lucid critical mood, and would not sympathize with exaltation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-m-forster-2/he-chanced-to-be-in-a-lucid-critical-mood-and-would-not-sympathize/) [E.M. Forster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-m-forster-2/) [Explore all 274 E.M. Forster quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-m-forster-2/) ## More Death quotes > [“He wondered how it was fair that your dying should depend so much on when you were born.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/he-wondered-how-it-was-fair-that-your-dying-should-depend-so-much-on/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. By suppressing differences and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/what-sets-worlds-in-motion-is-the-interplay-of-differences-their/) [Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/) > [Most of us are convinced that we are our egos, which is who we think we are. 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You're talking about death, right?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-altman/retirement-you-re-talking-about-death-right/) [Robert Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-altman/) > [With multiplayer, permanent death, and an ever-changing world to explore and conquer, 'A Valley Without Wind' might be the place you're looking for if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-manuel/with-multiplayer-permanent-death-and-an-ever-changing-world-to/) [Rob Manuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-manuel/) > [“What did you see?” she asked gently. His brow furrowed, as if he could not understand the question. Then his eyes turned to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-anthony-torino/what-did-you-see-she-asked-gently-his-brow-furrowed-as-if-he-could/) J. 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