Death Quote by Kristopher Jansma
““And for this imperfect immortality, what prices have been paid? How many livers, lungs, and veins? Shredded, polluted, shot? How many children deserted, family secrets betrayed, sordid trysts laid out for strangers to see? How many wives and husbands shoved to the side? How many ovens scorched with our hair? Gun barrels slid between our lips? Bathtubs slowly reddened by our blood and twisting drowned that drowned us? How many flawed pages burned in disgust and reduced to ashes? How many flawless moments observed from just a slight distance so that, later, we might reduce them to words? All with an unspoken prayer that these hard-won truths might outlast the brief years of our lives.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: Untitled, Kristopher Jansma, 2022
The speaker reflects on the human cost of seeking lasting truth, noting sacrifice, betrayal, and suffering endured for enduring ideas.
In simple terms: Seeking truth demands great personal sacrifice.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the hidden costs of your pursuits.
Themes
sacrifice
truth
human cost
betrayal
suffering
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- activism
- journalism
- artistic creation
- personal relationships
- historical research
Key Concepts
existentialism
ethical dilemma
mortality
Questions to Reflect On
- What are you willing to sacrifice for truth?
- How do we balance truth with compassion?
A Different Perspective
The pursuit of truth can justify harmful actions.
