Death Quote by Jorge Luis Borges
““A: Absorbed in our discussion of immortality, we had let night fall without lighting the lamp, and we couldn't see each other's faces. With an offhandedness or gentleness more convincing than passion would have been, Macedonio Fernandez' voice said once more that the soul is immortal. He assured me that the death of the body is altogether insignificant, and that dying has to be the most unimportant thing that can happen to a man. I was playing with Macedonio's pocketknife, opening and closing it. A nearby accordion was infinitely dispatching La Comparsita, that dismaying trifle that so many people like because it's been misrepresented to them as being old... I suggested to Macedonio that we kill ourselves, so we might have our discussion without all that racket. Z: (mockingly) But I suspect that at the last moment you reconsidered. A: (now deep in mysticism) Quite frankly, I don't remember whether we committed suicide that night or not.””
About This Quote
Source Short Story: “The Immortal” (1949)
The dialogue explores immortality, trivializing death and suggesting that endless life renders death insignificant, while also reflecting on the futility of suicide amidst noise and distraction.
In simple terms: Immortality makes death seem unimportant.
Key Takeaway
Consider the meaning of life beyond mortality.
Themes
mortality
immortality
meaning
distraction
Mood
contemplative
philosophical
Type
literary
existential
When to use this quote
- philosophical contemplation
- creative writing
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
existentialism
philosophical dialogue
Questions to Reflect On
- Does endless life diminish purpose?
- How do distractions affect profound conversations?
A Different Perspective
Immortality may diminish the urgency to live fully.
