--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: So many great people are dead, and so…" description: "\"So many great people are dead, and so many assholes I know are still alive. Karma's bullshit. I wish it was true, but it ain't.\" — John Waters" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b0/john-waters-751_alive_so-many-great-people-are-dead-and-so-man_2385109.jpg" --- # So many great people are dead, and so many assholes I know… ![“So many great people are dead, and so many assholes I know are still alive. Karma's bullshit. I wish it was true, but it ain't.” quote by John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b0/john-waters-751_alive_so-many-great-people-are-dead-and-so-man_2385109.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b0/john-waters-751_alive_so-many-great-people-are-dead-and-so-man_2385109.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b0/john-waters-751_alive_so-many-great-people-are-dead-and-so-man_2385109.jpg) > “So many great people are dead, and so many assholes I know are still alive. Karma's bullshit. I wish it was true, but it ain't.” [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Life isn’t fair; many good people die early while bad ones thrive, challenging the belief in moral justice. **In simple terms:** Life isn’t always fair; good people die, bad people live. Key Takeaway Accept life’s randomness. Themes cynicism existentialism society Mood darkly wry Type cynical philosophical When to use this quote - personal loss - observing injustice - career setbacks Key Concepts karma justice mortality Questions to Reflect On - How do you find meaning amid unfairness? - Can you act ethically without expecting reward? A Different Perspective Believing in karma can lead to fatalism. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) [Bullshit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bullshit/) [Great people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-people/) [Karma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/karma/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [“Karma is bullshit!' Landon yelled, slamming his hand on his desk. The room fell silent as everyone stared at him. Cassie's cheeks went red…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-knight/karma-is-bullshit-landon-yelled-slamming-his-hand-on-his-desk-the/) Wendy Knight > [“Many people are dead inside which is why they crave the living artists creative truth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/many-people-are-dead-inside-which-is-why-they-crave-the-living/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [It's not a problem taking out someone who wants your people dead. That's not a problem at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-kyle/it-s-not-a-problem-taking-out-someone-who-wants-your-people-dead-that/) [Chris Kyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-kyle/) > [“I doubt love can do little else, if it cannot bring back people back from the dead.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-potter/i-doubt-love-can-do-little-else-if-it-cannot-bring-back-people-back/) James Potter > [“I’m not a little child anymore. I know that she means they might be dead, not just in another place somewhere, but it doesn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-roy/i-m-not-a-little-child-anymore-i-know-that-she-means-they-might-be/) [Jennifer Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-roy/) > [The only completely consistent people are the dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/the-only-completely-consistent-people-are-the-dead/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Probably the most extreme form of inequality is between people who are alive and people who are dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-thiel/probably-the-most-extreme-form-of-inequality-is-between-people-who/) [Peter Thiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-thiel/) > [Conventions are convenient. It is inconvenient to say people are dead when they are alive, or alive when they have been buried, or that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-d-laing/conventions-are-convenient-it-is-inconvenient-to-say-people-are-dead/) [R. D. Laing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-d-laing/) > [We can't stop living because other people are dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/we-can-t-stop-living-because-other-people-are-dead/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [No one is perfect except two people : those who are dead and those who have not been born yet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/no-one-is-perfect-except-two-people-those-who-are-dead-and-those-who/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [“I was the sum of two people, one dead, the other unknown.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikki-wakefield/i-was-the-sum-of-two-people-one-dead-the-other-unknown/) [Vikki Wakefield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikki-wakefield/) > [the only perfect people are dead people, because their the only ones who can't make mistakes!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-jerome-dickey/the-only-perfect-people-are-dead-people-because-their-the-only-ones/) [Eric Jerome Dickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-jerome-dickey/) > [This is our world now, and those ancient people are dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/this-is-our-world-now-and-those-ancient-people-are-dead/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [Out of the people that ever were, almost all of them are dead. There are way more dead people, and you're all gonna die…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/out-of-the-people-that-ever-were-almost-all-of-them-are-dead-there/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) > [Most people are dead. Hitler. Ray Charles. Some other guys. But mostly those two.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/most-people-are-dead-hitler-ray-charles-some-other-guys-but-mostly/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by John Waters > [There was a cultural war going on, the '60s was going on. All the film critics were square.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/there-was-a-cultural-war-going-on-the-60s-was-going-on-all-the-film/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [I'm here today because of LSD. LSD gave me the confidence to be who I am today. Completely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/i-m-here-today-because-of-lsd-lsd-gave-me-the-confidence-to-be-who-i/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [When I was young, there were bars called the 'Hungry Hole,' and in those same neighbourhoods are now gay people pushing baby carriages.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/when-i-was-young-there-were-bars-called-the-hungry-hole-and-in-those/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [True success is figuring out your life and career so you never have to be around jerks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/true-success-is-figuring-out-your-life-and-career-so-you-never-have/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [Around '62 in Baltimore, all the girls had those big hairdos. And then suddenly, a few of the really hip ones started doing their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/around-62-in-baltimore-all-the-girls-had-those-big-hairdos-and-then/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [“John!?” I ask in shock. This woman recognizes me? It can’t be! “How do you know my name?” I wonder out loud. Suddenly she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/john-i-ask-in-shock-this-woman-recognizes-me-it-can-t-be-how-do-you/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > ['Serial Mom' tested really well when we finally got with the right audience. But they would go to some shopping mall in a deep,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/serial-mom-tested-really-well-when-we-finally-got-with-the-right/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [One Christmas, Dennis Dermody, the movie critic of 'Paper,' gave me 'Rock Hudson: A Gathering of Friends,' the master invitation list from Rock Hudson's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/one-christmas-dennis-dermody-the-movie-critic-of-paper-gave-me-rock/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [Many hundred-million-dollar Hollywood comedies aren't any good. They're trying to shock you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/many-hundred-million-dollar-hollywood-comedies-aren-t-any-good-they/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [The Easter Bunny is a major reason for heroin addiction in America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/the-easter-bunny-is-a-major-reason-for-heroin-addiction-in-america/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [To use bad taste, you have to know the rules of good taste. I've always thanked my mother for that. She taught how to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/to-use-bad-taste-you-have-to-know-the-rules-of-good-taste-i-ve-always/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [I'm an old person because I still buy DVDs. I have every one of my albums and 45s - I even have a couple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/i-m-an-old-person-because-i-still-buy-dvds-i-have-every-one-of-my/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [I do like Christmas. I do understand that there are people who hate it, and there are other religions that resent it. So, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/i-do-like-christmas-i-do-understand-that-there-are-people-who-hate-it/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [I love to read about anger. A "feel bad" book always makes me feel good. And no other novel in the history of literature…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/i-love-to-read-about-anger-a-feel-bad-book-always-makes-me-feel-good/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [ Maybe I'll just write books. I'd like to make another movie, but I don't want to go back and \[do\] what they want you… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/maybe-i-ll-just-write-books-i-d-like-to-make-another-movie-but-i-don/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) [Explore all 381 John Waters quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) ## More Alive quotes > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I feel very grateful to be alive and well enough to make music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-ant/i-feel-very-grateful-to-be-alive-and-well-enough-to-make-music/) Adam Ant > [I don't crave applause. I'm not one of those guys who comes alive on stage. I'm much more alive at home, I think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bowie/i-don-t-crave-applause-i-m-not-one-of-those-guys-who-comes-alive-on/) [David Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bowie/) > [We must master our egoism, and through this mastery, step outside ourselves and educate ourselves in giving. Fasting requires that we rediscover all that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/we-must-master-our-egoism-and-through-this-mastery-step-outside/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [I can't say that there are 'things' that make me come alive. There are thoughts that make me come alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/i-can-t-say-that-there-are-things-that-make-me-come-alive-there-are/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [We're like the wicked witch. We promise gingerbread, then eat the little brats alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/we-re-like-the-wicked-witch-we-promise-gingerbread-then-eat-the/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [If Jovan Belcher didn't possess a gun, he and Kasandra Perkins would both be alive today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-costas/if-jovan-belcher-didn-t-possess-a-gun-he-and-kasandra-perkins-would/) [Bob Costas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-costas/) > [Peace is an ongoing process. It begins with the first step and it does not end. We, all of us alive today, are the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-krieger/peace-is-an-ongoing-process-it-begins-with-the-first-step-and-it-does/) [David Krieger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-krieger/) > [I think adoption becomes complicated whenever the biological parents are alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-haven/i-think-adoption-becomes-complicated-whenever-the-biological-parents/) [James Haven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-haven/) > [The pain of love is the pain of being alive. It is a perpetual wound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-duffy/the-pain-of-love-is-the-pain-of-being-alive-it-is-a-perpetual-wound/) [Maureen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-duffy/) > [I have tried to resign myself, and to console myself; and that, I hope, I may have done imperfectly; but what I cannot firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-have-tried-to-resign-myself-and-to-console-myself-and-that-i-hope-i/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [If Melanchthon were alive today, he might not weep because of controversies that surround the Lord's Supper, but he might well sorrow because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erwin-w-lutzer/if-melanchthon-were-alive-today-he-might-not-weep-because-of/) [Erwin W. Lutzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erwin-w-lutzer/) > [If you’re alive, don’t move, if you’re dead, don’t worry about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/if-you-re-alive-don-t-move-if-you-re-dead-don-t-worry-about-it/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [Here Greek and Roman find themselves alive along these crowded shelves; and Shakespeare treads again his stage, and Chaucer paints anew his age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/here-greek-and-roman-find-themselves-alive-along-these-crowded/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [You're alive!" Fezzik cried. The man in black sat immobile, like a ventriloquist's dummy, just his mouth moving. "That is perhaps the most childishly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-goldman/you-re-alive-fezzik-cried-the-man-in-black-sat-immobile-like-a/) [William Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-goldman/) [Browse all 7,282 Alive quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "So many great people are dead, and so many assholes I know are still alive. Karma's bullshit. 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