Coffin Quote by Oliver Goldsmith
“He makes a very handsome corpse and becomes his coffin prodigiously.”
About This Quote
Source Play: The Good-Natured Man, 1768
A vivid metaphor describing how a man's vanity leads him to create a beautiful tomb for himself, symbolizing self‑destruction through pride.
In simple terms: Pride creates one's own downfall.
Key Takeaway
Beware of vanity.
Themes
pride
self‑destruction
vanity
Mood
cautionary
reflective
Type
literary
moral
When to use this quote
- political ambition
- personal reputation
- artistic legacy
- public image
Key Concepts
Greek tragedy
moral allegory
Questions to Reflect On
- How does pride shape your legacy?
- Can beauty mask danger?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may exaggerate; not all vanity leads to literal ruin.
![“[T]here are depths of thousands of miles which are hidden from our inquiry. The only tidings we have from those unfathomable regions are by means of volcanoes, those burning mountains that seem to discharge their materials from the lowest abysses of the earth.” quote by Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b7d/oliver-goldsmith-772_abyss_t-here-are-depths-of-thousands-of-miles_88121.jpg)
