Committing suicide Quote by Erich Maria Remarque
““Actually, what does man live for?” “To think about it. Any other question?” “Yes. Why does he die just when he has done that and has become a bit more sensible?” “Some people die without having become more sensible.” “Don’t evade my question. And don’t start talking about the transmigration of souls.” “I’ll ask you something else first. Lions kill antelopes; spiders flies; foxes chickens; which is the only race in the world that wars on itself uninterruptedly, fighting and killing one another?” “Those are questions for children. The crown of creation, of course, the human being— who invented the words love, kindness, and mercy.” “Good. And who is the only being in Nature that is capable of committing suicide and does it?” “Again the human being— who invented eternity, God, and resurrection.” “Excellent,” Ravic said. “You see of how many contradictions we consist. And you want to know why we die?””
About This Quote
Human existence is marked by paradoxes: seeking meaning, confronting mortality, and creating concepts like love and eternity, yet often failing to resolve them.
In simple terms: Life is full of contradictions and unanswered questions.
Key Takeaway
Accept uncertainty and seek personal meaning.
Themes
existence
meaning
mortality
contradiction
philosophy
Mood
thoughtful
introspective
Type
philosophical
literary
existential
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- philosophical debates
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
existentialism
human nature
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- What contradictions define your own life?
- How do you reconcile the search for meaning with inevitable death?
A Different Perspective
Human beings create concepts that both comfort and confuse.
