--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's my firm conclusion that human…" description: "\"It's my firm conclusion that human meaning comes from humans, not from a supernatural source. After we die, our hopes for an afterlife reside in the so..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c2/greg-graffin-4107_afterlife_it-s-my-firm-conclusion-that-human-meani_21205.jpg" --- # It's my firm conclusion that human meaning comes from… ![“It's my firm conclusion that human meaning comes from humans, not from a supernatural source. After we die, our hopes for an afterlife reside in the social networks that we influenced while we were alive. If we influence people in a positive way -- even if our social web is only as big as our…” quote by Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c2/greg-graffin-4107_afterlife_it-s-my-firm-conclusion-that-human-meani_21205.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c2/greg-graffin-4107_afterlife_it-s-my-firm-conclusion-that-human-meani_21205.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c2/greg-graffin-4107_afterlife_it-s-my-firm-conclusion-that-human-meani_21205.jpg) > “It's my firm conclusion that human meaning comes from humans, not from a supernatural source. After we die, our hopes for an afterlife reside in the social networks that we influenced while we were alive. If we influence people in a positive way -- even if our social web is only as big as our nuclear family -- others will want to emulate us and pass on our ideas, manners, and lifestyle to future generations. This is more than enough motivation for me to do good things in my life and teach my children to do the same.” [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Meaning is derived from human relationships and legacy rather than any supernatural afterlife; our influence endures through those we affect. **In simple terms:** Human meaning is social, not divine. Key Takeaway Live well to shape future generations. Themes meaning legacy social influence mortality ethical motivation Mood inspirational reflective Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - teaching children - community involvement - personal legacy planning Key Concepts humanism intergenerational impact Practical Applications - ethical decision‑making - family education Questions to Reflect On - What does it mean to leave a positive imprint? - How can one measure influence beyond personal circles? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Afterlife](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afterlife/) [Alive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Conclusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conclusion/) [Future generation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future-generation/) [Generations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generations/) [Good things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-things/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influence/) [Influencing people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influencing-people/) [Lifestyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lifestyle/) [Manners](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manners/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) [Nuclear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nuclear/) [Nuclear families](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nuclear-families/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Social](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social/) [Social network](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-network/) ## Related quotes > [“To explain this a little further: Only the soul and the body are the natural constituent parts of men and women. The SPIRIT is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wesley/to-explain-this-a-little-further-only-the-soul-and-the-body-are-the/) [John Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wesley/) > [The last six years afforded me much time and food for thought. I came to the conclusion that the human race is not divided…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aung-san-suu-kyi/the-last-six-years-afforded-me-much-time-and-food-for-thought-i-came/) [Aung San Suu Kyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aung-san-suu-kyi/) > [“we don’t assume that people are perfectly sensible, calculating machines. Instead, we observe how people actually behave, and quite often our observations lead us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-ariely/we-don-t-assume-that-people-are-perfectly-sensible-calculating/) [Dan Ariely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-ariely/) > [If there is one conclusion to which human experience unmistakably points it is that democratic ends demand democratic methods for their realization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/if-there-is-one-conclusion-to-which-human-experience-unmistakably/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [The true human being is the meaning of the universe. He is a dancing star. He is the exploding singularity pregnant with infinite possibilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-zindell/the-true-human-being-is-the-meaning-of-the-universe-he-is-a-dancing/) [David Zindell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-zindell/) > [“It is frequently alleged that all human meaning, morality, and values can be nothing more than whatever human beings of different times and cultures…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-s-gregory/it-is-frequently-alleged-that-all-human-meaning-morality-and-values/) [Brad S. Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-s-gregory/) > [When any civilization is dust and ashes," he said, "art is all that's left over. Images, words, music. Imaginative structures. Meaning—human meaning, that is—is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/when-any-civilization-is-dust-and-ashes-he-said-art-is-all-that-s/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [What is the value of interactions that contain no understanding of us and that contribute nothing to a shared store of human meaning?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherry-turkle/what-is-the-value-of-interactions-that-contain-no-understanding-of-us/) [Sherry Turkle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherry-turkle/) > [My parents suffered from that ideal of a perfect nuclear family. They found that a difficult pressure, I think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-burton/my-parents-suffered-from-that-ideal-of-a-perfect-nuclear-family-they/) [Tim Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-burton/) > [Ninety-nine percent of the time humans have lived on this planet we've lived in tribes, groups of 12 to 36 people. Only during times…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/ninety-nine-percent-of-the-time-humans-have-lived-on-this-planet-we/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [The Peruvian flute music is . . . cool. In this music, they have not yet invented the industrial revolution that leads to excessive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-braverman/the-peruvian-flute-music-is-cool-in-this-music-they-have-not-yet/) [Kate Braverman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-braverman/) > [I don't think you necessarily have to be part of a traditional nuclear family to be a good mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-louise-parker/i-don-t-think-you-necessarily-have-to-be-part-of-a-traditional/) [Mary-Louise Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-louise-parker/) > [“Being divorced does not necessarily make one’s advice on marriage useless … or useful.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/being-divorced-does-not-necessarily-make-one-s-advice-on-marriage/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [The only siblings I have are half-siblings. My nuclear family would have been an extra-suffocating threesome. Instead, I have an interesting brother and sister,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-smiley/the-only-siblings-i-have-are-half-siblings-my-nuclear-family-would/) [Jane Smiley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-smiley/) > [ The computer is a greater threat to the \[nuclear\] family than all the abortion laws and gay rights movements and pornography in the world. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin-toffler/the-computer-is-a-greater-threat-to-the-nuclear-family-than-all-the/) [Alvin Toffler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvin-toffler/) ## More by Greg Graffin > [“Anarchy Evolution: Faith, Science and Bad Religion in a World Without God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/anarchy-evolution-faith-science-and-bad-religion-in-a-world-without/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [Here's the thing, who cares what you have to look at, I'm a big advocate of not obscuring vistas, but even if you build…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/here-s-the-thing-who-cares-what-you-have-to-look-at-i-m-a-big/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [You can't let your personal disposition be dictated by the world around you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/you-can-t-let-your-personal-disposition-be-dictated-by-the-world/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [Life is never static. Despite catastrophic tragedies, life has persisted in evolving new varieties of unimaginable forms. I find comfort in the narrative of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/life-is-never-static-despite-catastrophic-tragedies-life-has/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [People need to understand the basics of evolution if they are going to reject it—otherwise, they are not contributing anything productive to modern society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/people-need-to-understand-the-basics-of-evolution-if-they-are-going/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [We should enjoy and make the most of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/we-should-enjoy-and-make-the-most-of-life/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [I bill myself as a naturalist because if you say you're a naturalist, it gives people a conversation point to talk about what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/i-bill-myself-as-a-naturalist-because-if-you-say-you-re-a-naturalist/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [So much of the habitat destruction and pollution is based on the simple principle that we somehow have been given free license over other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/so-much-of-the-habitat-destruction-and-pollution-is-based-on-the/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [The trick is: how do you talk about natural selection without implying the rigidity of law? We use it as almost an active participant,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/the-trick-is-how-do-you-talk-about-natural-selection-without-implying/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [I guess rock stars are role models for the kids who listen to that music. My role models have all been geologists - you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/i-guess-rock-stars-are-role-models-for-the-kids-who-listen-to-that/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [I don't mind if other people call me an atheist, but I call myself a naturalist. Atheism doesn't tell you much about what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/i-don-t-mind-if-other-people-call-me-an-atheist-but-i-call-myself-a/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [I view music as entertainment. When I'm on stage, I don't look at that as a platform for sharing ideology. Otherwise I'd be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/i-view-music-as-entertainment-when-i-m-on-stage-i-don-t-look-at-that/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [Bad Religion's tradition has always been to try and provoke people but hopefully lead them to a better sense of who they are and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/bad-religion-s-tradition-has-always-been-to-try-and-provoke-people/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [Whether or not punk is the flavor of the month is not important for us. Bad Religion has been popular through many different climates.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/whether-or-not-punk-is-the-flavor-of-the-month-is-not-important-for/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [I would say there's a lot of similarity between folk and punk. It's written for the common man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/i-would-say-there-s-a-lot-of-similarity-between-folk-and-punk-it-s/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) [Explore all 116 Greg Graffin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) ## More Afterlife quotes > [I don't believe in an afterlife. I don't believe in a single or multiple godhead. I respect people who do, but I don't believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-judt/i-don-t-believe-in-an-afterlife-i-don-t-believe-in-a-single-or/) [Tony Judt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-judt/) > [“There was no attack on religion because people were generally indifferent to religion. They were neither hot nor cold. They were the tepid, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-day/there-was-no-attack-on-religion-because-people-were-generally/) [Dorothy Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-day/) > [I guess on one hand I believe it doesn't matter if there is life after death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-morton/i-guess-on-one-hand-i-believe-it-doesn-t-matter-if-there-is-life/) [Joe Morton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-morton/) > [“And what if there are only spiders there, or something of that sort”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoyevsky/and-what-if-there-are-only-spiders-there-or-something-of-that-sort/) [Fyodor Dostoyevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoyevsky/) > [“The obsession with the afterlife is born of a panic at not having memories of a before-life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-cavanagh/the-obsession-with-the-afterlife-is-born-of-a-panic-at-not-having/) [Dean Cavanagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-cavanagh/) > [... the man in the violent situation reveals those qualities least dispensable in his personality, those qualities which are all he will have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flannery-o-connor/the-man-in-the-violent-situation-reveals-those-qualities-least/) [Flannery O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flannery-o-connor/) > [“Most people would probably call me a ghost. I am, after all, dead. But I don't think of myself that way. It wasn't so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-pike/most-people-would-probably-call-me-a-ghost-i-am-after-all-dead-but-i/) [Christopher Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-pike/) > [If critics and fanboys weren't suckers for simplistic nihilism and high-pressure marketing, Afterlife would be universally acclaimed as a visionary feat, superior to Inception…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/armond-white/if-critics-and-fanboys-weren-t-suckers-for-simplistic-nihilism-and/) [Armond White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/armond-white/) > [“People, I thought, wanted security. They couldn’t bare the idea of death being a big black nothing, couldn’t bear the thought of their loved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/people-i-thought-wanted-security-they-couldn-t-bare-the-idea-of-death/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“Some people are so stiff and inhumane as the dogma's they believe in”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bangambiki-habyarimana/some-people-are-so-stiff-and-inhumane-as-the-dogma-s-they-believe-in/) [Bangambiki Habyarimana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bangambiki-habyarimana/) > [Sometimes I think the resurrection of the body, unless much improved in construction, a mistake!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evelyn-underhill/sometimes-i-think-the-resurrection-of-the-body-unless-much-improved/) [Evelyn Underhill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-underhill/) > [“One's past can't be erased, it can only be learned from, the child taught her.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-balcomb/one-s-past-can-t-be-erased-it-can-only-be-learned-from-the-child/) [H. L. Balcomb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-balcomb/) > [It was like I’d stepped out into an afterlife. Only there were no angels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-christopher/it-was-like-i-d-stepped-out-into-an-afterlife-only-there-were-no/) [Lucy Christopher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-christopher/) > [“death is predestined for all mortals. Souls live forever, but the body does not. Unless you are immortal, both the soul and body are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yelle-hughes/death-is-predestined-for-all-mortals-souls-live-forever-but-the-body/) [Yelle Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yelle-hughes/) > [“Actually, the substitution of the reality-principle for the pleasure-principle denotes no dethronement of the pleasure-principle, but only a safeguarding of it. A momentary pleasure,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigmund-freud/actually-the-substitution-of-the-reality-principle-for-the-pleasure/) [Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigmund-freud/) [Browse all 844 Afterlife quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afterlife/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It's my firm conclusion that human meaning comes from humans, not from a supernatural source. After we die, our hopes for an afterlife reside in the social networks that we influenced while we were alive. If we influence people in a positive way -- even if our social web is only as big as our nuclear family -- others will want to emulate us and pass on our ideas, manners, and lifestyle to future generations. 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