--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I know this: if life is illusion, then I…" description: "\"I know this: if life is illusion, then I am no less an illusion, and being thus, the illusion is real to me. I live, I burn with life, I love, I slay, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd2/robert-e-howard-3742_ifs_i-know-this-if-life-is-illusion-then-i-a_1701080.jpg" --- # I know this: if life is illusion, then I am no less an… ![“I know this: if life is illusion, then I am no less an illusion, and being thus, the illusion is real to me. I live, I burn with life, I love, I slay, and am content.” quote by Robert E. Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd2/robert-e-howard-3742_ifs_i-know-this-if-life-is-illusion-then-i-a_1701080.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd2/robert-e-howard-3742_ifs_i-know-this-if-life-is-illusion-then-i-a_1701080.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd2/robert-e-howard-3742_ifs_i-know-this-if-life-is-illusion-then-i-a_1701080.jpg) > “I know this: if life is illusion, then I am no less an illusion, and being thus, the illusion is real to me. I live, I burn with life, I love, I slay, and am content.” [Robert E. Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-howard/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. If reality is an illusion, we are part of that illusion, yet we can still experience it as real and find meaning. **In simple terms:** Life may be an illusion, but we can still feel and act within it. Key Takeaway Embrace experience despite uncertainty. Themes illusion existence self-awareness Mood contemplative introspective Type philosophical existential When to use this quote - meditation - creative expression - risk taking - personal growth Key Concepts philosophy of mind subjective reality Questions to Reflect On - Do you find comfort or dread in the idea of illusion? - How does this perspective affect your choices? A Different Perspective Illusionary view may lead to nihilism. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Illusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illusion/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life Illusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-illusion/) ## Related quotes > [I have known many gods. He who denies them is as blind as he who trusts them too deeply. I see not beyond death.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-howard/i-have-known-many-gods-he-who-denies-them-is-as-blind-as-he-who/) [Robert E. Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-howard/) > [“I have known many gods. He who denies them is as blind as he who trusts them too deeply. I seek not beyond death.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-have-known-many-gods-he-who-denies-them-is-as-blind-as-he-who-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Believe in the hope of your Life Illusion because this is the only real thing that you posses!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sorin-cerin/believe-in-the-hope-of-your-life-illusion-because-this-is-the-only/) [Sorin Cerin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sorin-cerin/) > [The apparent ease of California life is an illusion, and those who believe the illusion real live here in only the most temporary way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-didion/the-apparent-ease-of-california-life-is-an-illusion-and-those-who-2/) [Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/) > [This world may be only illusion -- but it's the only illusion we've got.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/this-world-may-be-only-illusion-but-it-s-the-only-illusion-we-ve-got/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [“You do not exist to serve the illusion. The illusion exists to serve you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-zimmerman/you-do-not-exist-to-serve-the-illusion-the-illusion-exists-to-serve/) Lauren Zimmerman > [“All time is illusion, unless it's a record of love. Life is but illusion, till it's an instrument of love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/all-time-is-illusion-unless-it-s-a-record-of-love-life-is-but/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [The apparent ease of California life is an illusion, and those who believe the illusion will live here in only the most temporary way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-didion/the-apparent-ease-of-california-life-is-an-illusion-and-those-who/) [Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/) > [It was a strange lightness, a drifting feeling. Zero gravity. I understood that everything that once seemed solid and immovable might just float away.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-unger/it-was-a-strange-lightness-a-drifting-feeling-zero-gravity-i/) [Lisa Unger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-unger/) > [“The human mind is like a video. This means man lives his life in an illusion from birth. It is comparable to a video…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woo-myung/the-human-mind-is-like-a-video-this-means-man-lives-his-life-in-an/) [Woo Myung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woo-myung/) > [Anger becomes part of your life; if there is an illusion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asif-z-warsi/anger-becomes-part-of-your-life-if-there-is-an-illusion/) [Asif Z Warsi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asif-z-warsi/) > [“Life is an illusion which wisely prevents you from seeing yourself fully.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/life-is-an-illusion-which-wisely-prevents-you-from-seeing-yourself/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [Let me live deep while I live; let me know the rich juices of red meat & stinging wine on my palate, the hot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-howard/let-me-live-deep-while-i-live-let-me-know-the-rich-juices-of-red-meat/) [Robert E. Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-howard/) > [“It was the abyss of human illusion that was the real, the tideless deep.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-james/it-was-the-abyss-of-human-illusion-that-was-the-real-the-tideless-deep/) [Henry James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-james/) > [“Samantha reminds me of the difference between what is illusion and what is real. I am reminded whenever I forget that we choose our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-raven-rose/samantha-reminds-me-of-the-difference-between-what-is-illusion-and/) [H Raven Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-raven-rose/) ## More by Robert E. Howard > [Don't you think that as a people, Americans have less poetry, real poetry, in their souls than any other nations?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-howard/don-t-you-think-that-as-a-people-americans-have-less-poetry-real/) [Robert E. Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-howard/) > [I became a writer in spite of my environments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-howard/i-became-a-writer-in-spite-of-my-environments/) [Robert E. Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-howard/) > [Over the souls of men spread the condor wings of colossal monsters and all manner of evil things prey upon the heart and soul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-howard/over-the-souls-of-men-spread-the-condor-wings-of-colossal-monsters/) [Robert E. Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-howard/) > [“There was no life in the Abyss, save that which was incorporated in me," it tolled. "Nor was there light, nor motion, nor any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-howard/there-was-no-life-in-the-abyss-save-that-which-was-incorporated-in-me/) [Robert E. Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-howard/) > [“That's the way with civilized men. When they can't explain something by their half-baked science, they refuse to believe it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-howard/that-s-the-way-with-civilized-men-when-they-can-t-explain-something/) [Robert E. Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-howard/) > [I live, I burn with life, I love, I slay, & am content.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-howard/i-live-i-burn-with-life-i-love-i-slay-am-content/) [Robert E. Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-howard/) > [Coming, as I do, from mountain folk on one side and sea followers on the other, there are few old songs of the hills…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-howard/coming-as-i-do-from-mountain-folk-on-one-side-and-sea-followers-on/) [Robert E. Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-howard/) > [“A true fanatic, his promptings were reasons enough for his actions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-howard/a-true-fanatic-his-promptings-were-reasons-enough-for-his-actions/) [Robert E. Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-howard/) > [I have put off the past like a worn-out cloak.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-howard/i-have-put-off-the-past-like-a-worn-out-cloak/) [Robert E. Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-howard/) > [“Again the governor knelt, for part of his wisdom was the knowledge that a woman in such an emotional tempest is as perilous as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-howard/again-the-governor-knelt-for-part-of-his-wisdom-was-the-knowledge/) [Robert E. Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-howard/) > [“When you allow the elevation of a man, one can be sure that you'll profit by his advancement. I've earned everything I've won, with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-howard/when-you-allow-the-elevation-of-a-man-one-can-be-sure-that-you-ll/) [Robert E. Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-howard/) > [I never saw a man fight as Conan fought. He put his back to the courtyard wall, and before they overpowered him the dead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-howard/i-never-saw-a-man-fight-as-conan-fought-he-put-his-back-to-the/) [Robert E. Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-howard/) > [“There was no explaining this thing, but it was so. he was on Xapur, and that fantastic heap of towering masonry was on Xapur,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-howard/there-was-no-explaining-this-thing-but-it-was-so-he-was-on-xapur-and/) [Robert E. Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-howard/) > [“Gleaming shell of an outworn lie; fable of Right divine— You gained your crowns by heritage, but Blood was the price of mine. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-howard/gleaming-shell-of-an-outworn-lie-fable-of-right-divine-you-gained/) [Robert E. Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-howard/) > [Civilization is a natural and inevitable consequence - whether good or evil I am not prepared to state.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-howard/civilization-is-a-natural-and-inevitable-consequence-whether-good-or/) [Robert E. Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-howard/) [Explore all 123 Robert E. Howard quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-howard/) ## More Ifs quotes > [Women still, when they have breast cancer, go to work; they still lead their lives. They have to. I just did what I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-potter/women-still-when-they-have-breast-cancer-go-to-work-they-still-lead/) [Monica Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-potter/) > [Most of us are convinced that we are our egos, which is who we think we are. The ego is part of our incarnation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/most-of-us-are-convinced-that-we-are-our-egos-which-is-who-we-think/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [Histories never conclude; they just pause their prose. Their stories are, if they are truthful, untidy affairs, resistant to windings-up and sortings-out. They beat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-schama/histories-never-conclude-they-just-pause-their-prose-their-stories/) [Simon Schama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-schama/) > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [Many individuals spend a considerable portion of their lifetimes in terror of one imagined catastrophe or another. The classic is that your immortal soul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-neil-smith/many-individuals-spend-a-considerable-portion-of-their-lifetimes-in/) [L. Neil Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-neil-smith/) > [Obviously, if you don't love life, you can't enjoy an oyster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-clark/obviously-if-you-don-t-love-life-you-can-t-enjoy-an-oyster/) [Eleanor Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-clark/) > [If I don't have pressure, I don't function.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferran-adria/if-i-don-t-have-pressure-i-don-t-function/) [Ferran Adria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferran-adria/) > [If you restore a car, and you're making money, then you're doing it wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/if-you-restore-a-car-and-you-re-making-money-then-you-re-doing-it/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [If we gave up our freedom as the price of security, we would no longer be the great nation that we are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/if-we-gave-up-our-freedom-as-the-price-of-security-we-would-no-longer/) [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [But we are convinced that if we are to play a meaningful role nationally, and in the community of nations, we must be second…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikram-sarabhai/but-we-are-convinced-that-if-we-are-to-play-a-meaningful-role/) [Vikram Sarabhai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikram-sarabhai/) > [The thing about hitting kids is, think about if you were doing the same thing to another adult. Hitting your kid is really the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/the-thing-about-hitting-kids-is-think-about-if-you-were-doing-the/) [Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) Browse all 94,303 Ifs quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I know this: if life is illusion, then I am no less an illusion, and being thus, the illusion is real to me. I live, I burn with life, I love, I slay, and am content.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Robert E. Howard" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-howard/i-know-this-if-life-is-illusion-then-i-am-no-less-an-illusion-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ifs" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-howard/i-know-this-if-life-is-illusion-then-i-am-no-less-an-illusion-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd2/robert-e-howard-3742_ifs_i-know-this-if-life-is-illusion-then-i-a_1701080.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd2/robert-e-howard-3742_ifs_i-know-this-if-life-is-illusion-then-i-a_1701080.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd2/robert-e-howard-3742_ifs_i-know-this-if-life-is-illusion-then-i-a_1701080.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I know this: if life is illusion, then I am no less an illusion, and being thus, the illusion is real to me…” — Robert E. Howard", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Robert E. Howard", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-howard/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I know this: if life is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-howard/i-know-this-if-life-is-illusion-then-i-am-no-less-an-illusion-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-howard/i-know-this-if-life-is-illusion-then-i-am-no-less-an-illusion-and/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```