Dead people Quote by George R.R. Martin
““Bad enough when the dead come walking,"he said (Dolorous Edd) to Jon, "now the Old Bear wants them talking as well? No good will come of that, I'll warrant. And who's to say the bones wouldn't lie? Why should death make a man truthful, or even clever? The dead are likely dull fellows, full of tedious complaints-the ground's too cold, my gravestone should be larger, why does he get more worms than I do. . . .””
About This Quote
Source Book: A Song of Ice and Fire, A Dance with Dragons, 2011
The quote reflects on the idea that death does not guarantee honesty or wisdom, and that the dead may be as petty and self‑absorbed as the living.
In simple terms: Death doesn’t make people truthful or smart.
Key Takeaway
Don’t assume the dead are wiser.
Themes
mortality
truth
human nature
skepticism
Mood
cynical
reflective
darkly humorous
Type
literary
philosophical
humorous
When to use this quote
- grief counseling
- creative writing
- philosophical debate
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
existentialism
irony
humor
Questions to Reflect On
- What assumptions do we make about the dead’s honesty?
- How does humor affect our perception of mortality?
A Different Perspective
The speaker’s sarcasm may downplay genuine sorrow or the value of remembering the dead.
![“What the articles which have been written about The First Man propose is humility. The acceptance of these contradictions. Seeking an explanation is death. The lie is death in [Albert] Camus. That's why in Camus' play The Misunderstood the son dies, killed by his sister and his mother, because he…” quote by Catherine Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3ce/catherine-camus-12238_acceptance_what-the-articles-which-have-been-writte_2767685.jpg)
