Accidents Quote by Hermann Hesse
“You should not take old people who are already dead seriously. It does them injustice. We immortals do not like things to be taken seriously. We like joking. Seriousness, young man, is an accident of time. It consists, I don't mind telling you in confidence, in putting too high a value on time. I, too, once put too high a value on time. For that reason I wished to be a hundred years old. In eternity, however, there is no time, you see. Eternity is a mere moment, just long enough for a joke.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Demian by Hermann Hesse, 1919
The quote critiques overvaluing seriousness and time, suggesting that in an eternal perspective, such concerns are trivial and humor prevails.
In simple terms: Taking things too seriously is pointless in the grand scheme.
Key Takeaway
Embrace humor over excessive seriousness.
Themes
humor
philosophy
time
existence
Mood
playful
contemplative
Type
philosophical
humorous
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- creative writing
- philosophical discussion
Key Concepts
existentialism
relativism
nihilism
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you let seriousness limit your joy?
- How can humor reshape your view of time?
A Different Perspective
Humor may undermine necessary seriousness in critical situations.
![“[John] Hughes was well aware that to ignore the seriousness of young people is to encourage things like Columbine, so you might want to listen. And we were all pretty serious, a little bit, in high school. Some a little more than others.” quote by Judd Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aa8/judd-nelson-4498_bits_john-hughes-was-well-aware-that-to-ignor_764039.jpg)
