---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It used to be said, not so long ago, that…"
description: "\"It used to be said, not so long ago, that every suicide gave Satan special pleasure. I don't think that's true-unless it isn't true either that the Dev..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98c/martin-amis-704_agree_it-used-to-be-said-not-so-long-ago-that_911568.jpg"
---

#  It used to be said, not so long ago, that every suicide…

![“It used to be said, not so long ago, that every suicide gave Satan special pleasure. I don't think that's true-unless it isn't true either that the Devil is a gentleman. If the Devil has no class at all, then okay, I agree: He gets a bang out of suicide. Because suicide is a mess. As a subject for…” quote by Martin Amis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98c/martin-amis-704_agree_it-used-to-be-said-not-so-long-ago-that_911568.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98c/martin-amis-704_agree_it-used-to-be-said-not-so-long-ago-that_911568.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98c/martin-amis-704_agree_it-used-to-be-said-not-so-long-ago-that_911568.jpg)

> “It used to be said, not so long ago, that every suicide gave Satan special pleasure. I don't think that's true-unless it isn't true either that the Devil is a gentleman. If the Devil has no class at all, then okay, I agree: He gets a bang out of suicide. Because suicide is a mess. As a subject for study, suicide is perhaps uniquely incoherent. And the act itself is without shape and without form. The human project implodes, contorts inward-shameful, infantile, writhing, gesturing. It's a mess in there.”

[Martin Amis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-amis/)

## About This Quote

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

Suicide is portrayed as a chaotic, incoherent act that both fascinates and repels, reflecting humanity's inner turmoil.

**In simple terms:** Suicide is messy and confusing, reflecting deep inner pain.

Key Takeaway

Recognize the complexity before judging.

Themes

suicide madness humanity chaos

Mood

somber introspective

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

- mental health crises
- philosophical debates
- literary analysis
- ethical discussions

Key Concepts

existential dread psychological breakdown morality nihilism

Questions to Reflect On

- Why do we find dark topics compelling?
- How can we discuss suicide responsibly?

A Different Perspective

Suicide can be romanticized, ignoring real suffering.

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