Balls Quote by Mikhail Lermontov
“What of it? If I die, I die. It will be no great loss to the world, and I am thoroughly bored with life. I am like a man yawning at a ball; the only reason he does not go home to bed is that his carriage has not arrived yet.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The Demon" by Mikhail Lermontov, 1839
The speaker feels indifferent to death, seeing life as empty and waiting for an external event to give it meaning.
In simple terms: Life feels empty; death seems indifferent.
Key Takeaway
Accept the present, seek purpose beyond waiting.
Themes
existentialism
nihilism
loneliness
waiting
meaninglessness
Mood
melancholic
contemplative
Type
literary
existential
When to use this quote
- personal crisis
- creative block
- existential dread
- search for purpose
Key Concepts
absurdity
self‑reflection
detachment
Questions to Reflect On
- What would give your life meaning beyond external events?
- How can you find purpose when you feel indifferent?
A Different Perspective
It ignores the potential for growth or change that can arise from confronting boredom.
