---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The requiem has started, and when the…"
description: "\"“The requiem has started, and when the last melody plays, the only applause will be sweet, eternal silence.”\" — Julie Kagawa"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/11e/julie-kagawa-241_applause_the-requiem-has-started-and-when-the-las_103878.png"
---

#  The requiem has started, and when the last melody plays…

![“The requiem has started, and when the last melody plays, the only applause will be sweet, eternal silence.” quote by Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/11e/julie-kagawa-241_applause_the-requiem-has-started-and-when-the-las_103878.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/11e/julie-kagawa-241_applause_the-requiem-has-started-and-when-the-las_103878.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/11e/julie-kagawa-241_applause_the-requiem-has-started-and-when-the-las_103878.png)

> ““The requiem has started, and when the last melody plays, the only applause will be sweet, eternal silence.””

[Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

When life’s final act concludes, the only lasting tribute is the profound quiet that follows, suggesting that silence is the ultimate applause.

**In simple terms:** Death ends with a silent, eternal applause.

Key Takeaway

Silence is the final, pure applause.

Themes

mortality legacy silence finality

Mood

melancholic reverent

Type

philosophical poetic

When to use this quote

- funeral services
- artistic performances
- personal reflection after loss

Key Concepts

impermanence transcendence

Practical Applications

- Create quiet spaces for contemplation after significant events.

Questions to Reflect On

- How does silence convey respect compared to overt celebration?
- What moments in your life felt like a 'sweet, eternal silence'?

A Different Perspective

Some may view silence as emptiness rather than applause.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Applause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/applause/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Silence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silence/)

## Related quotes

> [I would just be vibing with whatever I liked the most. And then there were a couple songs that I started on my own.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jazmine-sullivan/i-would-just-be-vibing-with-whatever-i-liked-the-most-and-then-there/)

[Jazmine Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jazmine-sullivan/)

> ['Despacito' started with a melody hook that I had with my guitar only. The beat for this track came after I wrote the lyrics,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-fonsi/despacito-started-with-a-melody-hook-that-i-had-with-my-guitar-only/)

[Luis Fonsi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-fonsi/)

> [There are still days you can catch me tape recording eternal silence and playing it backwards for an empty room](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buddy-wakefield/there-are-still-days-you-can-catch-me-tape-recording-eternal-silence/)

[Buddy Wakefield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buddy-wakefield/)

> [There are only two ways to deal with the media: either elect to take the Buddha's vow of eternal silence, or make one's voice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-linzey/there-are-only-two-ways-to-deal-with-the-media-either-elect-to-take/)

[Andrew Linzey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-linzey/)

> [“I am going to die. When I die I will be dead, gone, no more. There will be no more thinking, no more breathing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-frey/i-am-going-to-die-when-i-die-i-will-be-dead-gone-no-more-there-will/)

[James Frey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-frey/)

> [Our noisy years seem moments in the being Of the eternal Silence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wordsworth/our-noisy-years-seem-moments-in-the-being-of-the-eternal-silence/)

[William Wordsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wordsworth/)

> [The eternal silence of these infinite spaces frightens me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/the-eternal-silence-of-these-infinite-spaces-frightens-me/)

[Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/)

> [“The eternal silence of these infinite spaces terrifies me”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/the-eternal-silence-of-these-infinite-spaces-terrifies-me/)

[Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/)

> [Le silence e ternel de ces espaces infinis m'effraie. The eternal silence of these infinite spaces fills me with dread.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/le-silence-e-ternel-de-ces-espaces-infinis-m-effraie-the-eternal/)

[Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/)

> [Say "I love you" to those you love. The eternal silence is long enough to be silent in, and that awaits us all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eliot/say-i-love-you-to-those-you-love-the-eternal-silence-is-long-enough/)

[George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/)

> [“We are pushed towards eternal silence from the moment we are born. So when sadness tries to stifle us, we must not give in.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-hick/we-are-pushed-towards-eternal-silence-from-the-moment-we-are-born-so/)

[Shaun Hick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-hick/)

> [“Poor boy," the libertine then said, "he builds machines to count the infinite, and we have terrified him with the eternal silence of too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umberto-eco/poor-boy-the-libertine-then-said-he-builds-machines-to-count-the/)

[Umberto Eco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umberto-eco/)

> [“The eternal silence of these infinite places fills me with dread.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/the-eternal-silence-of-these-infinite-places-fills-me-with-dread/)

[Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/)

> [“Le silence eternel des ces espaces infinis m'effraie - The eternal silence of these infinite spaces frightens me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/le-silence-eternel-des-ces-espaces-infinis-m-effraie-the-eternal/)

[Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/)

> [“The eternal silence of these infinite spaces fills me with dread.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/the-eternal-silence-of-these-infinite-spaces-fills-me-with-dread/)

[Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/)

## More by Julie Kagawa

> [“Ash,” Mab crooned as he drew near. “My poor boy. Rowan told me what happened between the two of you, but I know you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/ash-mab-crooned-as-he-drew-near-my-poor-boy-rowan-told-me-what/)

[Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/)

> [“As Annwyl turned away, Keirran rose swiftly, not touching her but very close. "I'm not afraid of exile," he said quietly, and the Summer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/as-annwyl-turned-away-keirran-rose-swiftly-not-touching-her-but-very/)

[Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/)

> [“The nurse whirled and fixed him with a gimlet eye. “You—” she began, then threw her hands up. “Go get ready, idiot. You’ve been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/the-nurse-whirled-and-fixed-him-with-a-gimlet-eye-you-she-began-then/)

[Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/)

> [“Don't worry too much about him, Meghan. Robin Goodfellow has always been extra-ordinarily difficult to kill." -Ash”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/don-t-worry-too-much-about-him-meghan-robin-goodfellow-has-always/)

[Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/)

> [“Oh, come on. I want to see the big-spiky-ball thing." "You do not need a flail." Kanin scowled, as though imagining what I could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/oh-come-on-i-want-to-see-the-big-spiky-ball-thing-you-do-not-need-a/)

[Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/)

> [“Ruth's mouth dropped open, her delicate face contorting in outrage. 'Steal? How dare you! I don't steal!' 'That's good,' I went on, smirking at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/ruth-s-mouth-dropped-open-her-delicate-face-contorting-in-outrage/)

[Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/)

> [“His forehead bumped softly against mine, his brilliant silver gaze searing into me. "I plan to keep you, from everyone, for as long as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/his-forehead-bumped-softly-against-mine-his-brilliant-silver-gaze/)

[Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/)

> [“So nice to see you, human,” a voice purred from an overhead branch. Grimalkin sniffed, looking from me to Keirran, and smiled. “How amusing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/so-nice-to-see-you-human-a-voice-purred-from-an-overhead-branch/)

[Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/)

> [“Human?' The girl cocked her head the other way. I caught a glimpse of pink gills under her chin. 'My sisters told me stories…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/human-the-girl-cocked-her-head-the-other-way-i-caught-a-glimpse-of/)

[Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/)

> [“Try Not to bleed so much on the thorns," he said as I jabbed myself in the palm and hissed in pain. "Right Now,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/try-not-to-bleed-so-much-on-the-thorns-he-said-as-i-jabbed-myself-in/)

[Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/)

> [“Ethan stood there, his face blue and wrinkled, his lips pulled into a rictus grin. In one hand, he clutched a butcher knife. Blood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/ethan-stood-there-his-face-blue-and-wrinkled-his-lips-pulled-into-a/)

[Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/)

> [“Care to join me, Goodfellow?” “Oh, ice-boy. A moonlight stroll with you? Do you even have to ask?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/care-to-join-me-goodfellow-oh-ice-boy-a-moonlight-stroll-with-you-do/)

[Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/)

> [“I sagged to my knees as the adrenaline wore off and my muscles started to shake, leaving me weak and nearly hyperventilating. I could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/i-sagged-to-my-knees-as-the-adrenaline-wore-off-and-my-muscles/)

[Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/)

> [“Without St. George, that balance would tip. Without the Order, there would be nothing to stop Talon and the Elder Wyrm from achieving what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/without-st-george-that-balance-would-tip-without-the-order-there/)

[Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/)

> [ “This would be so much easier if \[Allie\] hadn't killed the jeep." "For the last time," I growled at \[Jackal\]. "I just pointed out… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/this-would-be-so-much-easier-if-allie-hadn-t-killed-the-jeep-for-the/)

[Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/)

[Explore all 789 Julie Kagawa quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/)

## More Applause quotes

> [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/)

> [“In due course I would learn how to cover up for this event, but on that awful day I knew of nothing to say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-pryor/in-due-course-i-would-learn-how-to-cover-up-for-this-event-but-on/)

[Karen Pryor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-pryor/)

> [“An applause is not just the recognition of good performance, but its proof of being different than the crowd.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/an-applause-is-not-just-the-recognition-of-good-performance-but-its/)

[Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/)

> [“i nod to the other will grayson, up onstage. he nods to me. we have something between us, him and me. but the truth?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/i-nod-to-the-other-will-grayson-up-onstage-he-nods-to-me-we-have/)

[David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/)

> [ All the shows we did pre-airdate, and I'd come out - "Rob Lowe!" - and it was \[Offers bored applause.\] After the show aired?… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-lowe/all-the-shows-we-did-pre-airdate-and-i-d-come-out-rob-lowe-and-it-was/)

[Rob Lowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-lowe/)

> [“Those who do soul work, who want the searing truth more than solace or applause, know each other right away. Those who want something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/those-who-do-soul-work-who-want-the-searing-truth-more-than-solace-or/)

[Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/)

> [It is clear that the future of freedom and peace depend on the actions of America. This nation is freedom's home, and freedom's defender.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/it-is-clear-that-the-future-of-freedom-and-peace-depend-on-the/)

[George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/)

> [The logic of worldly success rests on a fallacy: the strange error that our perfection depends on the thoughts and opinions and applause of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-logic-of-worldly-success-rests-on-a-fallacy-the-strange-error/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

> [“Upon common theaters, indeed, the applause of the audience is of more importance to the actors than their own aprobation. But upon the stage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/upon-common-theaters-indeed-the-applause-of-the-audience-is-of-more/)

[John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/)

> [If anyone ever boos you off stage, that is simply applause from ghosts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-needles/if-anyone-ever-boos-you-off-stage-that-is-simply-applause-from-ghosts/)

[Sharon Needles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-needles/)

> [“A magician must always value his magic effects more than himself, because after few years audience may not remember his name but they will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/a-magician-must-always-value-his-magic-effects-more-than-himself/)

[Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/)

> [When I got through, Duke Ellington stood up and started the applause.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-brown/when-i-got-through-duke-ellington-stood-up-and-started-the-applause/)

[Ruth Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-brown/)

> [The beauteous dragonfly's dancing By the waves of the rivulet glancing; She dances here and she dances there, The glimmering, glittering flutterer fair. Full…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinrich-heine/the-beauteous-dragonfly-s-dancing-by-the-waves-of-the-rivulet/)

[Heinrich Heine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinrich-heine/)

> [You can copy, but hold the applause you get the satisfaction of mind can not](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/you-can-copy-but-hold-the-applause-you-get-the-satisfaction-of-mind/)

Mak\_786

> [Qv5YUc A round of applause for your blog.Really looking forward to read more. Awesome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oem-software-buy/qv5yuc-a-round-of-applause-for-your-blog-really-looking-forward-to/)

Oem Software Buy

[Browse all 556 Applause quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/applause/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“The requiem has started, and when the last melody plays, the only applause will be sweet, eternal silence.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Julie Kagawa"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/the-requiem-has-started-and-when-the-last-melody-plays-the-only/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Applause"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/the-requiem-has-started-and-when-the-last-melody-plays-the-only/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/11e/julie-kagawa-241_applause_the-requiem-has-started-and-when-the-las_103878.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/11e/julie-kagawa-241_applause_the-requiem-has-started-and-when-the-las_103878.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/11e/julie-kagawa-241_applause_the-requiem-has-started-and-when-the-las_103878.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The requiem has started, and when the last melody plays, the only applause will be sweet, eternal silence.” — Julie Kagawa",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Julie Kagawa",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“The requiem has started, and when...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/the-requiem-has-started-and-when-the-last-melody-plays-the-only/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/the-requiem-has-started-and-when-the-last-melody-plays-the-only/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
