Death Quote by James Joyce
““A man who swears before the world to love a woman till death part him and her is sane neither in the opinion of the philosopher who understands what mutability is nor in the opinion of the man of the world who understands that it is safer to be a witness than an actor in such affairs. A man who swears to do something which it is not in his power to do is not accounted a sane man.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, 1916
A man who vows eternal love cannot truly grasp the changing nature of life, making such promises irrational to both philosophers and worldly men.
In simple terms: Vowing forever love is unrealistic.
Key Takeaway
Accept change, avoid impossible vows.
Themes
love
philosophy
human nature
commitment
sanity
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- marriage proposals
- long‑term relationships
- personal promises
- life planning
Key Concepts
mutability
existentialism
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you ever promise something beyond your control?
- How does recognizing mutability affect your commitments?
A Different Perspective
Such vows ignore personal growth and external circumstances.
