--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: By celebrating death, even of someone as…" description: "\"By celebrating death, even of someone as evil as bin Laden, we let our worst impulses trump what Abraham Lincoln called the better angels of our nature..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa4/jonathan-zimmerman-250118_bin-laden_by-celebrating-death-even-of-someone-as_1254824.jpg" --- # By celebrating death, even of someone as evil as bin… ![“By celebrating death, even of someone as evil as bin Laden, we let our worst impulses trump what Abraham Lincoln called the better angels of our nature. We look petty, juvenile, and small. And we should all be worried about that.” quote by Jonathan Zimmerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa4/jonathan-zimmerman-250118_bin-laden_by-celebrating-death-even-of-someone-as_1254824.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa4/jonathan-zimmerman-250118_bin-laden_by-celebrating-death-even-of-someone-as_1254824.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa4/jonathan-zimmerman-250118_bin-laden_by-celebrating-death-even-of-someone-as_1254824.jpg) > “By celebrating death, even of someone as evil as bin Laden, we let our worst impulses trump what Abraham Lincoln called the better angels of our nature. We look petty, juvenile, and small. And we should all be worried about that.” Jonathan Zimmerman ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Celebrating the death of an evil figure can let our worst impulses dominate, contrary to Lincoln's "better angels". **In simple terms:** Glorifying an enemy's death may reveal our own darker side. Key Takeaway Seek compassion over triumphalism. Themes morality human nature justice compassion political rhetoric historical reflection Mood somber reflective Type cautionary observational When to use this quote - political rallies - media commentary - personal journaling Key Concepts ethical reflection media criticism public discourse personal growth Questions to Reflect On - What emotions arise when celebrating an enemy's death? - How can we honor justice without embracing cruelty? A Different Perspective Potentially oversimplifies complex emotions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Better Angels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-angels/) [Better Angels Of Our Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-angels-of-our-nature/) [Celebrating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/celebrating/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) ## Related quotes > [“Looking down at someone you were, with total disapproval and denial, as a celebration.   Celebrating the death of the last thing you tried…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-pink/looking-down-at-someone-you-were-with-total-disapproval-and-denial-as/) [Sam Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-pink/) > [To a crisis of the spirit, we need an answer of the spirit. To find that answer, we need only look within ourselves. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/to-a-crisis-of-the-spirit-we-need-an-answer-of-the-spirit-to-find/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [Pelosi abuses her power in ways that once were unthinkable. Her speakership has been the antithesis of Lincoln's entreaty to 'the better angels of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-devine/pelosi-abuses-her-power-in-ways-that-once-were-unthinkable-her/) [Miranda Devine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-devine/) > [“all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/all-over-this-broad-land-will-yet-swell-the-chorus-of-the-union-when/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [“Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. 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America’s a very nationalistic country, and in episodes like that of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-scahill/i-wasn-t-like-boo-hoo-bin-laden-s-dead-but-i-wasn-t-jumping-america-s/) [Jeremy Scahill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-scahill/) > [R.I.P Osama Bin Laden - World Hide And Go Seek Champion (2001 - 2011)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/r-i-p-osama-bin-laden-world-hide-and-go-seek-champion-2001-2011/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [ “\[to Navy SEALs\] Quite frankly, I didn't even want to use you guys, with your dip and velcro and all your gear bullshit. 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