Afraid of death Quote by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
““Each man cannot judge except by himself," he said, blushing. "There will be entire freedom when it makes no difference whether one lives or does not live. That is the goal to everything." "The goal? But then perhaps no one will even want to live?" "No one," he said resolutely. "Man is afraid of death because he loves life, that's how I understand it," I observed, "and that is what nature tells us." "That is base, that is the whole deceit!" his eyes began to flash. "Life is pain, life is fear, and man is unhappy. Now all is pain and fear. Now man loves life because he loves pain and fear. That's how they've made it. Life now is given in exchange for pain and fear, and that is the whole deceit. Man now is not yet the right man. There will be a new man, happy and proud. He for whom it will make no difference whether he lives or does not live, he will be the new man. He who overcomes pain and fear will himself be God. And this God will not be.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Demons (The Possessed) by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, 1872
The passage explores existential freedom, suggesting that true liberation comes when one is indifferent to life or death, transcending fear and pain to become a higher self.
In simple terms: True freedom is indifference to living or dying, overcoming fear and pain.
Key Takeaway
Seek inner freedom beyond fear.
Themes
existentialism
freedom
human nature
spirituality
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
literary
existential
When to use this quote
- confronting mortality
- philosophical debate
- personal growth
- psychological resilience
Key Concepts
nihilism
transcendence
self‑actualization
Questions to Reflect On
- What would you change if death held no meaning?
- Can indifference be a healthy stance?
A Different Perspective
Indifference may lead to apathy, neglecting life's intrinsic value.
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