--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I would have rather the world ended than…" description: "\"“I would have rather the world ended than this, this thing he had done and this emptiness where he was, where we were-”\" — Sarah J. Maas" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c7/sarah-j-maas-58_a-court-of-wings-and_i-would-have-rather-the-world-ended-than_2161080.png" --- # I would have rather the world ended than this, this thing… ![“I would have rather the world ended than this, this thing he had done and this emptiness where he was, where we were-” quote by Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c7/sarah-j-maas-58_a-court-of-wings-and_i-would-have-rather-the-world-ended-than_2161080.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c7/sarah-j-maas-58_a-court-of-wings-and_i-would-have-rather-the-world-ended-than_2161080.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c7/sarah-j-maas-58_a-court-of-wings-and_i-would-have-rather-the-world-ended-than_2161080.png) > ““I would have rather the world ended than this, this thing he had done and this emptiness where he was, where we were-”” [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Expresses a preference for total annihilation over enduring profound personal loss and emptiness caused by another’s actions. **In simple terms:** Prefers death over unbearable emotional pain. Key Takeaway Seek healing rather than surrender. Themes grief despair existential crisis love loss Mood melancholic introspective poetic Type literary emotional philosophical When to use this quote - therapy - support groups - creative expression - mindfulness practices - friendship Key Concepts psychology existentialism emotional trauma Questions to Reflect On - What can restore meaning after such loss? - How can one find hope amid despair? A Different Perspective May romanticize death, overlooking coping strategies. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [A-court-of-wings-and-ruin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/a-court-of-wings-and-ruin/) [Dead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dead/) [Emptiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emptiness/) [Ended](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ended/) [Ended Thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ended-thing-4586209/) [Feyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feyre/) [Feyre-archeron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feyre-archeron/) [Grief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grief/) [Rhys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rhys/) [Rhysand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rhysand/) [Sarah-j-maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sarah-j-maas/) [Thing Emptiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thing-emptiness-2571449/) [World Ended](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-ended-252852/) [World ending](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-ending/) ## Related quotes > [“What does he look like? The question was soft- tentative. I knew who he meant. I interlaced my fingers through Rhysand's and squeezed tightly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/what-does-he-look-like-the-question-was-soft-tentative-i-knew-who-he/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I stepped forward, and didn't give Lucien time to step back as I hugged him tightly. 'Thank you,' I said, trying not to think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-stepped-forward-and-didn-t-give-lucien-time-to-step-back-as-i/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“The flame in her eyes was not of your usual sort, I take it.' Lucien shook his head. 'No. It spoke to nothing in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/the-flame-in-her-eyes-was-not-of-your-usual-sort-i-take-it-lucien/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Twenty gold marks says there's a fight in the first hour,' Cassian said, still not really looking at Nesta. 'Thirty, and I say within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/twenty-gold-marks-says-there-s-a-fight-in-the-first-hour-cassian-said/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Night Triumphant- and the Stars Eternal. If he was the sweet, terrifying darkness, I was the glittering light that only his shadows could make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/night-triumphant-and-the-stars-eternal-if-he-was-the-sweet-terrifying/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Lucien claimed you would come,' Tamlin said by way of greeting, voice as flat and lifeless as his eyes, a hand still braced on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/lucien-claimed-you-would-come-tamlin-said-by-way-of-greeting-voice-as/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Rhys stepped up to my side. 'As High Lady, Feyre is no longer my emissary to the human world.' He gave Nesta a tentative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/rhys-stepped-up-to-my-side-as-high-lady-feyre-is-no-longer-my/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“The chamber was a cool, chill black- as if we'd stepped inside the mind of some sleeping beast. And within its round space gleamed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/the-chamber-was-a-cool-chill-black-as-if-we-d-stepped-inside-the-mind/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“What do you want?' I hissed. 'An apology? For me to crawl back into your bed and play nice, little wife?' 'Why should I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/what-do-you-want-i-hissed-an-apology-for-me-to-crawl-back-into-your/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“No going back now,' Cassian said to Rhys, gesturing to his wings. Rhys slid his hands into his pockets. 'I figure it's time for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/no-going-back-now-cassian-said-to-rhys-gesturing-to-his-wings-rhys/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I'm not in the business of discussing our plans with enemies.' Helion, across the reflection pool, grinned like a lion. 'No,' Tamlin said with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-m-not-in-the-business-of-discussing-our-plans-with-enemies-helion/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“If you hadn't stolen my bride away in the night, Rhysand, I would not have been forced to take such drastic measures to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/if-you-hadn-t-stolen-my-bride-away-in-the-night-rhysand-i-would-not/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“You and pretty Tarquin had a moment today. Do you truly think he'll join us?' 'If you mean in bed, definitely not,' Rhys said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/you-and-pretty-tarquin-had-a-moment-today-do-you-truly-think-he-ll/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I caught a bob of Rhys's throat as we cleared the final steps to the open doorway. ... And though his face was calm,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-caught-a-bob-of-rhys-s-throat-as-we-cleared-the-final-steps-to-the/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I told you that the moment we started letting females into our group, they'd be nothing but trouble.' 'As far as I can recall,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-told-you-that-the-moment-we-started-letting-females-into-our-group/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) ## More by Sarah J. Maas > [“Light it up, bitch.' 'Light it up, asshole,' ...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/light-it-up-bitch-light-it-up-asshole/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“What does he look like? The question was soft- tentative. I knew who he meant. I interlaced my fingers through Rhysand's and squeezed tightly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/what-does-he-look-like-the-question-was-soft-tentative-i-knew-who-he/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Lysandra chuckled, a surprisingly deep, wicked sound—probably a laugh she never let Arobynn or her clients hear. “Some night soon, I’ll sneak back in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/lysandra-chuckled-a-surprisingly-deep-wicked-sound-probably-a-laugh/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I love you. I am in love with you, Rowan. I have been for a while. And I know there are limits to what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-love-you-i-am-in-love-with-you-rowan-i-have-been-for-a-while-and-i/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Perhaps Nesta will take up the blood-drinking habit, too. I certainly believe her threat to rip out my throat. Maybe she'll enjoy the taste.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/perhaps-nesta-will-take-up-the-blood-drinking-habit-too-i-certainly/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“To being the most fearsome and imposing girls the world has ever seen.” Celaena raised her goblet high before she drank. As she swallowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/to-being-the-most-fearsome-and-imposing-girls-the-world-has-ever-seen/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“have no interest in prisoners or battling today,” Manon said. The Queen of Terrasen gave her a grin. “Good.” Manon turned away, barking at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/have-no-interest-in-prisoners-or-battling-today-manon-said-the-queen/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Well, I'm late for something incredibly important," Lucien said, and before I could call him on his outright lie or beg him to stay,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/well-i-m-late-for-something-incredibly-important-lucien-said-and/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Holy gods. He'd frozen the whole damn lake. He was THAT powerful?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/holy-gods-he-d-frozen-the-whole-damn-lake-he-was-that-powerful/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“She bellowed the last word with such soul-deep hatred that he felt it like a punch to the gut.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/she-bellowed-the-last-word-with-such-soul-deep-hatred-that-he-felt-it/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Afraid she and I had a summer romance?" That insufferable grin was still there. "I hope you did. I certainly enjoyed myself this summer."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/afraid-she-and-i-had-a-summer-romance-that-insufferable-grin-was/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“There are different kinds of darkness,” Rhys said. I kept my eyes shut. “There is the darkness that frightens, the darkness that soothes, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/there-are-different-kinds-of-darkness-rhys-said-i-kept-my-eyes-shut/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“So you’re going to ask Ress and Brullo to just leave a back door open so you can sneak in?” “Don’t be so simpleminded.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/so-you-re-going-to-ask-ress-and-brullo-to-just-leave-a-back-door-open/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Gently, he pulled my hands away from my face. Gently, he took my cheeks in his hands and brushed away my tears. I didn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/gently-he-pulled-my-hands-away-from-my-face-gently-he-took-my-cheeks/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I barely saw my silk slipper as it flew through the air, fast as a shooting star, so fast that even a High Lord…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-barely-saw-my-silk-slipper-as-it-flew-through-the-air-fast-as-a/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) [Explore all 1,807 Sarah J. Maas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) ## More A-court-of-wings-and-ruin quotes > [“What does he look like? The question was soft- tentative. I knew who he meant. I interlaced my fingers through Rhysand's and squeezed tightly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/what-does-he-look-like-the-question-was-soft-tentative-i-knew-who-he/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I see all of you, Rhys. And there is not one part that I do not love with everything I am.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-see-all-of-you-rhys-and-there-is-not-one-part-that-i-do-not-love/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I caught a bob of Rhys's throat as we cleared the final steps to the open doorway. ... And though his face was calm,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-caught-a-bob-of-rhys-s-throat-as-we-cleared-the-final-steps-to-the/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Amren,' Varian said, and sank onto his knees. 'I am begging you-' ... She looked to Varian, a wry smile on her red mouth.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/amren-varian-said-and-sank-onto-his-knees-i-am-begging-you-she-looked/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Helion threw himself onto the couch across from Cassian and Mor. He'd ditched that radiant crown somewhere, but kept that gold armband of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/helion-threw-himself-onto-the-couch-across-from-cassian-and-mor-he-d/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“You and pretty Tarquin had a moment today. Do you truly think he'll join us?' 'If you mean in bed, definitely not,' Rhys said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/you-and-pretty-tarquin-had-a-moment-today-do-you-truly-think-he-ll/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Rhys turned his head, looking me over from head to toe. Then back to Tamlin. A storm about to be unleashed. But it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas-2/rhys-turned-his-head-looking-me-over-from-head-to-toe-then-back-to/) [Sarah J Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas-2/) > [“It will be- very dangerous.' A half smile curved Lucien's mouth. 'Good. It'd be boring otherwise.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/it-will-be-very-dangerous-a-half-smile-curved-lucien-s-mouth-good-it/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“If you hadn't stolen my bride away in the night, Rhysand, I would not have been forced to take such drastic measures to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/if-you-hadn-t-stolen-my-bride-away-in-the-night-rhysand-i-would-not/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I'm not in the business of discussing our plans with enemies.' Helion, across the reflection pool, grinned like a lion. 'No,' Tamlin said with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/i-m-not-in-the-business-of-discussing-our-plans-with-enemies-helion/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“You're still lovely," Mor said a bit gently. Elain offered a half smile. "I suppose that war makes wanting things like that unimportant." Mor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/you-re-still-lovely-mor-said-a-bit-gently-elain-offered-a-half-smile/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“No going back now,' Cassian said to Rhys, gesturing to his wings. Rhys slid his hands into his pockets. 'I figure it's time for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/no-going-back-now-cassian-said-to-rhys-gesturing-to-his-wings-rhys/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“What do you want?' I hissed. 'An apology? For me to crawl back into your bed and play nice, little wife?' 'Why should I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/what-do-you-want-i-hissed-an-apology-for-me-to-crawl-back-into-your/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“Lucien. It was Lucien. Lucien, haggard and bloody, panting for breath. As if he'd run from the shore. His gaze settled on Elain, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/lucien-it-was-lucien-lucien-haggard-and-bloody-panting-for-breath-as/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“The chamber was a cool, chill black- as if we'd stepped inside the mind of some sleeping beast. And within its round space gleamed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/the-chamber-was-a-cool-chill-black-as-if-we-d-stepped-inside-the-mind/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) [Browse all 81 A-court-of-wings-and-ruin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/a-court-of-wings-and-ruin/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I would have rather the world ended than this, this thing he had done and this emptiness where he was, where we were-”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sarah J. 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