Death Quote by John Gardner
““O the ultimate evil in the temporal world is deeper than any specific evil, such as hatred, or suffering, or death! The ultimate evil is that Time is perpetual perishing, and being actual involves elimination. The nature of evil may be epitomized, therefore, in two simple but horrible and holy propositions: 'Things fade' and 'Alternatives exclude.' Such is His mystery: that beauty requires contrast, and that discord is fundamental to the creation of new intensities of feeling. Ultimate wisdom, I have come to perceive, lies in the perception that the solemnity and grandeur of the universe rise through the slow process of unification in which the diversities of existence are utilized, and nothing, 'nothing' is lost.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Nature of Evil, 1990
Evil is seen as the endless decay of time and the loss of alternatives, yet this drives contrast and new emotional depths.
In simple terms: Time’s decay creates contrast, leading to deeper feelings.
Key Takeaway
Embrace impermanence to find meaning.
Themes
impermanence
contrast
beauty
growth
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- grieving loss
- creative work
- spiritual contemplation
- artistic inspiration
Key Concepts
philosophy
existentialism
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does recognizing impermanence affect your daily life?
- Can contrast be cultivated without suffering?
A Different Perspective
The view may be overly abstract for practical coping.
