--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The brick is neither here nor there,'…" description: "\"“The brick is neither here nor there,' interrupted the stranger in an imposing fashion, 'it never merely falls on someone's head from out of nowhere. I..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f87/mikhail-bulgakov-1389_quote_the-brick-is-neither-here-nor-there-inte_236399.jpg" --- # The brick is neither here nor there,' interrupted the… ![“The brick is neither here nor there,' interrupted the stranger in an imposing fashion, 'it never merely falls on someone's head from out of nowhere. In your case, I can assure you that a brick poses no threat whatsoever. You will die another kind of death." 'And you know just what that will be?'…” quote by Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f87/mikhail-bulgakov-1389_quote_the-brick-is-neither-here-nor-there-inte_236399.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f87/mikhail-bulgakov-1389_quote_the-brick-is-neither-here-nor-there-inte_236399.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f87/mikhail-bulgakov-1389_quote_the-brick-is-neither-here-nor-there-inte_236399.jpg) > ““The brick is neither here nor there,' interrupted the stranger in an imposing fashion, 'it never merely falls on someone's head from out of nowhere. In your case, I can assure you that a brick poses no threat whatsoever. You will die another kind of death." 'And you know just what that will be?' queried Berlioz with perfectly understandable irony, letting himself be drawn into a truly absurd conversation. 'And can you tell me what that is?' 'Gladly,' replied the stranger. He took Berlioz's measure as if intending to make him a suit and muttered something through his teeth that sounded like 'One, two.. Mercury in the Second House... the moon has set... six-misfortune...evening-seven...' Then he announced loudly and joyously, 'Your head will be cut off!”” [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The stranger’s cryptic warning blends absurdity with fatalism, suggesting death is inevitable but varied. **In simple terms:** Absurd warnings hint at inevitable, strange death. Key Takeaway Accept uncertainty and find meaning despite absurdity. Themes absurdity fatalism existentialism humor destiny Mood thought‑provoking dark introspective Type literary philosophical humorous When to use this quote - reading literature - philosophical debates - creative writing - cultural analysis Key Concepts nihilism existential dread dark comedy Questions to Reflect On - What does “another kind of death” symbolize? - How does absurd humor affect fear of death? A Different Perspective Interpretation may be overly literal, missing satire. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Berlioz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/berlioz/) [Berlioz Measure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/berlioz-measure-2380934/) [Queried Berlioz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/queried-berlioz-2380933/) [Stranger Imposing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stranger-imposing-2380932/) [Took Berlioz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/took-berlioz-2380931/) ## Related quotes > [It must be added that from his first words the foreigner made a repellent impression on the poet, but Berlioz rather liked him -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/it-must-be-added-that-from-his-first-words-the-foreigner-made-a/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [“Każdy z literatów pomyślał co innego. Berlioz: „Nie, to jednak cudzoziemiec!”, a Bezdomny: „O, cholera!...”.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/ka-dy-z-literat-w-pomy-la-co-innego-berlioz-nie-to-jednak/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [“Hector Berlioz’s witty comment, “Time is the great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all of its students.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fritz/hector-berlioz-s-witty-comment-time-is-the-great-teacher-but/) [Robert Fritz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fritz/) > [In poetry there are two giants, rough Homer and fine Shakespere. In music likewise we have two giants, Beethoven, the thinker, and the superthinker…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/modest-petrovich-mussorgsky/in-poetry-there-are-two-giants-rough-homer-and-fine-shakespere-in/) [Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/modest-petrovich-mussorgsky/) > [Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils. Hector Berlioz It is easier to fight for one's principles than to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-adler/time-is-a-great-teacher-but-unfortunately-it-kills-all-its-pupils-3/) [Alfred Adler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-adler/) > [Heine commenting on the music of Louis Hector Berlioz: He is an immense nightingale, a lark as great as an eagle. . . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hector-berlioz/heine-commenting-on-the-music-of-louis-hector-berlioz-he-is-an/) [Hector Berlioz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hector-berlioz/) > [“Without those peak experiences our lives would be pretty dull and flat. Berlioz put it this way: A life without once reading Hamlet is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/without-those-peak-experiences-our-lives-would-be-pretty-dull-and/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [“Have just been run over by tram-car at Patriarch's Ponds funeral Friday three pm come. Berlioz.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bulgakov/have-just-been-run-over-by-tram-car-at-patriarch-s-ponds-funeral/) [Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bulgakov/) > [If you want to find the source of much of the music of modern day Russia, you will find it in the incredible compositions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/if-you-want-to-find-the-source-of-much-of-the-music-of-modern-day/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [Ah! My dear friend painting is to us what the music of Berlioz and Wagner was before us - a consolatory art for sore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-van-gogh/ah-my-dear-friend-painting-is-to-us-what-the-music-of-berlioz-and/) [Vincent Van Gogh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-van-gogh/) > [Berlioz says nothing in his music, but he says it magnificently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-gibbons/berlioz-says-nothing-in-his-music-but-he-says-it-magnificently/) [James Gibbons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-gibbons/) ## More by Mikhail Bulgakov > [“The Procurator did not squint because the sun dazzled him. No! For some reason, he did not want to see the group of condemned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/the-procurator-did-not-squint-because-the-sun-dazzled-him-no-for-some/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [“…i głośno, radośnie oznajmił: - Utną panu głowę!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/i-g-o-no-rado-nie-oznajmi-utn-panu-g-ow/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [If it is true that cowardice is the most grave vice, then the dog, at least, is not guilty of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/if-it-is-true-that-cowardice-is-the-most-grave-vice-then-the-dog-at/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [“-No, to rzeczywiście nie są pieniądze – lekceważąco powiedział do swego gościa Woland – chociaż szczerze mówiąc, nawet tyle nie jest panu potrzebne. -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/no-to-rzeczywi-cie-nie-s-pieni-dze-lekcewa-co-powiedzia-do-swego-go/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [The tongue can conceal the truth, but the eyes never! You're asked an unexpected question, you don't even flinch, it takes just a second…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/the-tongue-can-conceal-the-truth-but-the-eyes-never-you-re-asked-an/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [This twenty-year-old boy was distinguished from childhood by strange qualities, a dreamer and an eccentric. A girl fell in love with him, and he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/this-twenty-year-old-boy-was-distinguished-from-childhood-by-strange/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [“You should never ask anyone for anything. Never—and especially from those who are more powerful than yourself. They will make the offer and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/you-should-never-ask-anyone-for-anything-never-and-especially-from/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [Cowardice is the greatest sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/cowardice-is-the-greatest-sin/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [“Too bad!' the feisty poet responded. 'Yes, too bad!' the stranger agreed, his eye flashing, and went on: 'But here is a question that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/too-bad-the-feisty-poet-responded-yes-too-bad-the-stranger-agreed-his/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [“Don't be afraid, your majesty... Don't be afraid, your majesty, the blood has long since drained away into the earth and grapes have grown…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/don-t-be-afraid-your-majesty-don-t-be-afraid-your-majesty-the-blood/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [“But this is what disturbs me: if there is no God, then, the question is, who is in control of man's life and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/but-this-is-what-disturbs-me-if-there-is-no-god-then-the-question-is/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [“If you’ve been exiled, why don’t you send me word of yourself? People do send word. Have you stopped loving me? No, for some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/if-you-ve-been-exiled-why-don-t-you-send-me-word-of-yourself-people/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [“Tu nieznajomy uprzejmie zdjął beret i pisarzom nie pozostawało nic innego, jak wstać i ukłonić się.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/tu-nieznajomy-uprzejmie-zdj-beret-i-pisarzom-nie-pozostawa-o-nic/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [“Thou art a black God! I curse Thee, God of thieves, their soul and protector! (191)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/thou-art-a-black-god-i-curse-thee-god-of-thieves-their-soul-and/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [“-No, więc ja wysłałem depeszę. I co dalej? Popławskiemu zawirowało w głowie, stracił władzę w rękach i nogach, wypuścił z ręki walizkę i opadł…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/no-wi-c-ja-wys-a-em-depesz-i-co-dalej-pop-awskiemu-zawirowa-o-w-g/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) [Explore all 186 Mikhail Bulgakov quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) ## More Berlioz quotes > [“Hector Berlioz’s witty comment, “Time is the great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all of its students.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fritz/hector-berlioz-s-witty-comment-time-is-the-great-teacher-but/) [Robert Fritz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fritz/) > [Ah! My dear friend painting is to us what the music of Berlioz and Wagner was before us - a consolatory art for sore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-van-gogh/ah-my-dear-friend-painting-is-to-us-what-the-music-of-berlioz-and/) [Vincent Van Gogh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-van-gogh/) > [If you want to find the source of much of the music of modern day Russia, you will find it in the incredible compositions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/if-you-want-to-find-the-source-of-much-of-the-music-of-modern-day/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“Have just been run over by tram-car at Patriarch's Ponds funeral Friday three pm come. Berlioz.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bulgakov/have-just-been-run-over-by-tram-car-at-patriarch-s-ponds-funeral/) [Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bulgakov/) > [“Każdy z literatów pomyślał co innego. Berlioz: „Nie, to jednak cudzoziemiec!”, a Bezdomny: „O, cholera!...”.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/ka-dy-z-literat-w-pomy-la-co-innego-berlioz-nie-to-jednak/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [“Without those peak experiences our lives would be pretty dull and flat. Berlioz put it this way: A life without once reading Hamlet is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/without-those-peak-experiences-our-lives-would-be-pretty-dull-and/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [Heine commenting on the music of Louis Hector Berlioz: He is an immense nightingale, a lark as great as an eagle. . . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hector-berlioz/heine-commenting-on-the-music-of-louis-hector-berlioz-he-is-an/) [Hector Berlioz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hector-berlioz/) > [Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils. Hector Berlioz It is easier to fight for one's principles than to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-adler/time-is-a-great-teacher-but-unfortunately-it-kills-all-its-pupils-3/) [Alfred Adler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-adler/) > [In poetry there are two giants, rough Homer and fine Shakespere. In music likewise we have two giants, Beethoven, the thinker, and the superthinker…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/modest-petrovich-mussorgsky/in-poetry-there-are-two-giants-rough-homer-and-fine-shakespere-in/) [Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/modest-petrovich-mussorgsky/) > [It must be added that from his first words the foreigner made a repellent impression on the poet, but Berlioz rather liked him -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/it-must-be-added-that-from-his-first-words-the-foreigner-made-a/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) > [Berlioz says nothing in his music, but he says it magnificently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-gibbons/berlioz-says-nothing-in-his-music-but-he-says-it-magnificently/) [James Gibbons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-gibbons/) [Browse all 12 Berlioz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/berlioz/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The brick is neither here nor there,' interrupted the stranger in an imposing fashion, 'it never merely falls on someone's head from out of nowhere. 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