--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I thought of killing myself but soon…" description: "\"I thought of killing myself but soon decided that I could always try MIT and then kill myself later if it was that bad but that I couldn't commit suici..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93c/murray-gell-mann-12560_commit_i-thought-of-killing-myself-but-soon-dec_292989.jpg" --- # I thought of killing myself but soon decided that I could… ![“I thought of killing myself but soon decided that I could always try MIT and then kill myself later if it was that bad but that I couldn't commit suicide and then try MIT afterwards. The two operations, suicide and going to MIT, don't commute.” quote by Murray Gell-Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93c/murray-gell-mann-12560_commit_i-thought-of-killing-myself-but-soon-dec_292989.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93c/murray-gell-mann-12560_commit_i-thought-of-killing-myself-but-soon-dec_292989.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93c/murray-gell-mann-12560_commit_i-thought-of-killing-myself-but-soon-dec_292989.jpg) > “I thought of killing myself but soon decided that I could always try MIT and then kill myself later if it was that bad but that I couldn't commit suicide and then try MIT afterwards. The two operations, suicide and going to MIT, don't commute.” [Murray Gell-Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murray-gell-mann/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker jokes that suicide and attending MIT are mutually exclusive actions that cannot be reordered, highlighting a dark humor about procrastination and self‑destruction. **In simple terms:** Suicide and MIT cannot be swapped; the speaker jokes about delaying death. Key Takeaway Recognize the seriousness behind dark jokes and seek help. Themes mental health humor procrastination Mood distressed darkly humorous conflicted Type personal dark humor When to use this quote - college decisions - mental health crises - self‑harm ideation Key Concepts existential dread self‑destruction academic pressure Questions to Reflect On - What underlying feelings drive this joke? - How can you address the real distress behind it? A Different Perspective The humor may downplay genuine suicidal thoughts, risking misunderstanding. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Killing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/killing/) [Killing myself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/killing-myself/) [Suicide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suicide/) ## Related quotes > [“In my own life, I have found that prayer, intense rest, fresh air, and above all, 12-step programs for helping persons who want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-my-own-life-i-have-found-that-prayer-intense-rest-fresh-air-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'd commit suicide, if I could do it without killing myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henny-youngman/i-d-commit-suicide-if-i-could-do-it-without-killing-myself/) [Henny Youngman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henny-youngman/) > [Last night as I try to fall asleep all I think about is running away or committing suicide but I try to stay strong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/last-night-as-i-try-to-fall-asleep-all-i-think-about-is-running-away/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You want to know the truth? The truth is society is messed up. But we all know this don't we? Well lets see all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert/you-want-to-know-the-truth-the-truth-is-society-is-messed-up-but-we/) [Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert/) > [That's the thing about suicide. Try as you might to remember how a person lived his life, you always end up thinking about how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anderson-cooper/that-s-the-thing-about-suicide-try-as-you-might-to-remember-how-a/) [Anderson Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anderson-cooper/) > [In November, 1964 when I was a patient at the Mayo Clinic I though seriously about killing myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-kramer/in-november-1964-when-i-was-a-patient-at-the-mayo-clinic-i-though/) [Jerry Kramer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-kramer/) > [I'm addicted to working. I mean, I have a list of 100 countries I want to play in. I'm basically killing myself by travelling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/i-m-addicted-to-working-i-mean-i-have-a-list-of-100-countries-i-want/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [“I think you like other things better than me," he said on Gmail chat that night. 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