Death Quote by Jean-Paul Sartre
““And I— soft, weak, obscene, digesting, juggling with dismal thoughts— I, too, was In the way . Fortunately, I didn’t feel it, although I realized it, but I was uncomfortable because I was afraid of feeling it (even now I am afraid— afraid that it might catch me behind my head and lift me up like a wave). I dreamed vaguely of killing myself to wipe out at least one of these superfluous lives. But even my death would have been In the way . In the way , my corpse, my blood on these stones, between these plants, at the back of this smiling garden. And the decomposed flesh would have been In the way in the earth which would receive my bones, at last, cleaned, stripped, peeled, proper and clean as teeth, it would have been In the way : I was In the way for eternity.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: “Nausea” (1938) – excerpt from diary
Existence feels burdensome; the self perceives itself as an obstacle, leading to despair and thoughts of death.
In simple terms: Life can feel like a heavy burden, causing dread.
Key Takeaway
Seek meaning beyond self‑imposed obstacles.
Themes
existential angst
self‑obstruction
despair
death thoughts
Mood
philosophical
introspective
Type
existential
psychological
When to use this quote
- therapy
- creative writing
- philosophical study
- mindfulness practice
Key Concepts
existentialism
absurdity
psychological introspection
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “being in the way” mean for you?
- How can you transform self‑obstruction into growth?
A Different Perspective
Risk of nihilism if not balanced with purpose.
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