--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When a man walks into a room and you…" description: "\"“When a man walks into a room and you shake hands with him, you do not feel that you are shaking hands with him. Death changes that. This is the body o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a9/paul-auster-351_death_when-a-man-walks-into-a-room-and-you-sha_2702900.jpg" --- # When a man walks into a room and you shake hands with him… ![“When a man walks into a room and you shake hands with him, you do not feel that you are shaking hands with him. Death changes that. This is the body of X, not this is X. The syntax is entirely different. Now we are talking about two things instead of one, implying that the man continues to exist…” quote by Paul Auster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a9/paul-auster-351_death_when-a-man-walks-into-a-room-and-you-sha_2702900.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a9/paul-auster-351_death_when-a-man-walks-into-a-room-and-you-sha_2702900.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a9/paul-auster-351_death_when-a-man-walks-into-a-room-and-you-sha_2702900.jpg) > ““When a man walks into a room and you shake hands with him, you do not feel that you are shaking hands with him. Death changes that. This is the body of X, not this is X. The syntax is entirely different. Now we are talking about two things instead of one, implying that the man continues to exist, but only as an idea, a cluster of images and memories in the minds of the other people. As for the body, it is no more than flesh and bones, a heap of pure matter.”” [Paul Auster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-auster/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Death transforms a person from a physical being to an idea in others' minds **In simple terms:** Death turns a body into memory Key Takeaway Cherish relationships before they become memories Themes mortality philosophy memory Mood somber contemplative Type philosophical existential When to use this quote - grief counseling - memorials - philosophical reflection Key Concepts existentialism legacy Questions to Reflect On - How do you want to be remembered? - What legacy are you building now? A Different Perspective Physical presence is finite, but ideas persist ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Shaking hands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shaking-hands/) ## Related quotes > [I remember very clearly someone saying, 'Don't shake hands with the cactus,' and I thought, 'Well, why not? What could possibly go wrong?' Shaking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-remember-very-clearly-someone-saying-don-t-shake-hands-with-the/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [“She won't reveal your secret handshake." "It's not my handshake I'm worried about." "Pretend it is.Because as far as I'm concerned,thats all the two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/she-won-t-reveal-your-secret-handshake-it-s-not-my-handshake-i-m/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [In fact, when I shake hands with all those wonderful people at the Stratford Literary Festival, they will be shaking hands with the hand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gyles-brandreth/in-fact-when-i-shake-hands-with-all-those-wonderful-people-at-the/) [Gyles Brandreth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gyles-brandreth/) > [“When I put my hands on your body on your flesh I feel the history of that body. 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You're talking about death, right?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-altman/retirement-you-re-talking-about-death-right/) [Robert Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-altman/) > [With multiplayer, permanent death, and an ever-changing world to explore and conquer, 'A Valley Without Wind' might be the place you're looking for if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-manuel/with-multiplayer-permanent-death-and-an-ever-changing-world-to/) [Rob Manuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-manuel/) > [“What did you see?” she asked gently. His brow furrowed, as if he could not understand the question. Then his eyes turned to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-anthony-torino/what-did-you-see-she-asked-gently-his-brow-furrowed-as-if-he-could/) J. 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