Skip to content

Vonnegut Quote by Kurt Vonnegut

“So it goes." Unlike many of these quotes, the repeated refrain from Vonnegut's classic Slaughterhouse-Five isn't notable for its unique wording so much as for how much emotion—and dismissal of emotion—it packs into three simple, world-weary words that simultaneously accept and dismiss everything…” quote by Kurt Vonnegut
Download Open image
““So it goes." Unlike many of these quotes, the repeated refrain from Vonnegut's classic Slaughterhouse-Five isn't notable for its unique wording so much as for how much emotion—and dismissal of emotion—it packs into three simple, world-weary words that simultaneously accept and dismiss everything. There's a reason this quote graced practically every elegy written for Vonnegut over the past two weeks (yes, including ours): It neatly encompasses a whole way of life. More crudely put: "Shit happens, and it's awful, but it's also okay. We deal with it because we have to.””

Kurt Vonnegut

About This Quote

Source Novel: Slaughterhouse-Five, 1969

The phrase captures acceptance of life's randomness and suffering while maintaining resilience.

In simple terms: Accept that bad things happen, but keep going.

Key Takeaway

Embrace life's absurdity with stoic resolve.

Themes

existence absurdity resilience

Mood

philosophical reflective

Type

literary quote

When to use this quote

  • daily setbacks
  • personal loss
  • global crises

Key Concepts

nihilism stoicism human condition

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance acceptance and action?
  • When is it okay to dismiss emotions?
A Different Perspective

May downplay seriousness of serious events.

4.1 out of 5 (9 ratings)

More by Kurt Vonnegut

Explore all 2,089 Kurt Vonnegut quotes

More Vonnegut quotes

Browse all 83 Vonnegut quotes