--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Eternity is a terrible thought. I mean…" description: "\"“Eternity is a terrible thought. I mean, where's it going to end?”\" — Tom Stoppard" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca0/tom-stoppard-437_eternity_eternity-is-a-terrible-thought-i-mean-wh_772900.png" --- # Eternity is a terrible thought. I mean, where's it going… ![“Eternity is a terrible thought. I mean, where's it going to end?” quote by Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca0/tom-stoppard-437_eternity_eternity-is-a-terrible-thought-i-mean-wh_772900.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca0/tom-stoppard-437_eternity_eternity-is-a-terrible-thought-i-mean-wh_772900.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca0/tom-stoppard-437_eternity_eternity-is-a-terrible-thought-i-mean-wh_772900.png) > ““Eternity is a terrible thought. I mean, where's it going to end?”” [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Contemplating eternity evokes existential dread because it lacks a clear endpoint. **In simple terms:** Eternity feels scary without an end. Key Takeaway Accept uncertainty and focus on present actions. Themes existentialism philosophy anxiety Mood thoughtful uneasy Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - meditation - creative writing - philosophical discussion Key Concepts temporal infinity human consciousness Questions to Reflect On - How does the idea of endless time affect your daily choices? - Can you find comfort in the present despite unknown futures? A Different Perspective The concept may be abstract and hard to apply practically. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Eternity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eternity/) [Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought/) ## Related quotes > [Eternity's a terrible thought. I mean, where's it all going to end?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/eternity-s-a-terrible-thought-i-mean-where-s-it-all-going-to-end/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [Eternity's a terrible thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/eternity-s-a-terrible-thought/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [Death followed by eternity the worst of both worlds. It is a terrible thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/death-followed-by-eternity-the-worst-of-both-worlds-it-is-a-terrible/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [This is a transitory world, we're all spirits just looking for love and finding it, and holding on. Even if it's a moment it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cass-mccombs/this-is-a-transitory-world-we-re-all-spirits-just-looking-for-love/) [Cass McCombs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cass-mccombs/) > [It is a terrible thought, to contemplate that an immense number of mediocre thinkers are occupied with really influential matters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-a-terrible-thought-to-contemplate-that-an-immense-number-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Terrible thought she was brave. She remembered it now, heard his voice in her head as if he stood next to her. "They scared.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacia-kane/terrible-thought-she-was-brave-she-remembered-it-now-heard-his-voice/) [Stacia Kane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacia-kane/) > [Thought is subversive and revolutionary, destructive and terrible, Thought is merciless to privilege, established institutions, and comfortable habit. Thought is great and swift and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/thought-is-subversive-and-revolutionary-destructive-and-terrible/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [It is a terrible thought, that nothing is ever forgotten; that not an oath is ever uttered that does not continue to vibrate through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-cowper/it-is-a-terrible-thought-that-nothing-is-ever-forgotten-that-not-an/) [William Cowper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-cowper/) > [ I thought he \[Tim Kaine\] was terrible. I thought his speech was terrible. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-thought-he-tim-kaine-was-terrible-i-thought-his-speech-was-terrible/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [I say fuck love because the people I have encountered have placed this terrible thought of love in mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-say-fuck-love-because-the-people-i-have-encountered-have-placed/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“There is a pleasure in being with them,' he says. 'Taking what we want, indulging in every terrible thought. There's safety in being awful.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/there-is-a-pleasure-in-being-with-them-he-says-taking-what-we-want/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“There is a pleasure in being with them,” he says. “Taking what we wish, indulging in every terrible thought. There’s safety in being awful.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/there-is-a-pleasure-in-being-with-them-he-says-taking-what-we-wish/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [Dying is not romantic, and death is not a game which will soon be over... Death is not anything... death is not... It's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/dying-is-not-romantic-and-death-is-not-a-game-which-will-soon-be-over/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [It’s making a statement about what life is, really. And I’m going to end the line with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-shorter/it-s-making-a-statement-about-what-life-is-really-and-i-m-going-to/) [Wayne Shorter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-shorter/) > [People always wonder when the world is going to end. I believe that the world will end when everyone stops loving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nichole-fickes/people-always-wonder-when-the-world-is-going-to-end-i-believe-that/) [Nichole Fickes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nichole-fickes/) ## More by Tom Stoppard > [If I wanted to change the world, the last thing I would do is write a play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/if-i-wanted-to-change-the-world-the-last-thing-i-would-do-is-write-a/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [If you want to change something by Tuesday, theater is no good. Journalism is what does that. But, if you want to just alter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/if-you-want-to-change-something-by-tuesday-theater-is-no-good/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [Childhood is Last Chance Gulch for happiness. After that, you know too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/childhood-is-last-chance-gulch-for-happiness-after-that-you-know-too/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [After all these years, I definitely associate having a pen in my hand with having an ashtray just out of eye line.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/after-all-these-years-i-definitely-associate-having-a-pen-in-my-hand/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [The universe is deterministic all right, just like Newton said, I mean it's trying to be, but the only thing going wrong is people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/the-universe-is-deterministic-all-right-just-like-newton-said-i-mean/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [For me, human rights simply endorse a view of life and a set of moral values that are perfectly clear to an eight-year-old child.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/for-me-human-rights-simply-endorse-a-view-of-life-and-a-set-of-moral/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [“What is an artist? For every thousand people there's nine hundred doing the work, ninety doing well, nine doing good, and one lucky bastard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/what-is-an-artist-for-every-thousand-people-there-s-nine-hundred/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [Dying is not romantic, and death is not a game which will soon be over... Death is not anything... death is not... It's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/dying-is-not-romantic-and-death-is-not-a-game-which-will-soon-be-over/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [I'm not interested in clothes; I just like them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/i-m-not-interested-in-clothes-i-just-like-them/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [For 10 years of my life, 3 times a day, I thanked the Lord for what I was about to receive and thanked him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/for-10-years-of-my-life-3-times-a-day-i-thanked-the-lord-for-what-i/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [You should not translate for more than two hours at a time. After that, you lose your edge, the language becomes clumsy, rigid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/you-should-not-translate-for-more-than-two-hours-at-a-time-after-that/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [No matter how imperfect things are, if you've got a free press everything is correctable, and without it everything is concealable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/no-matter-how-imperfect-things-are-if-you-ve-got-a-free-press/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [We must be born with an intuition of mortality. Before we know the word for it. Before we know that there are words. Out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/we-must-be-born-with-an-intuition-of-mortality-before-we-know-the/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [Eternity's a terrible thought. I mean, where's it all going to end?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/eternity-s-a-terrible-thought-i-mean-where-s-it-all-going-to-end/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [There is truth and falsehood in a comma.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/there-is-truth-and-falsehood-in-a-comma/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) [Explore all 559 Tom Stoppard quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) ## More Eternity quotes > [“I believe in forever, and that’s what you and I are. We define eternity. This may sound cheesy, but you make me go there.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-mchugh/i-believe-in-forever-and-that-s-what-you-and-i-are-we-define-eternity/) [Gail McHugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-mchugh/) > [“Please not yet. Those are the three eternal words. Please not yet.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-macdonald/please-not-yet-those-are-the-three-eternal-words-please-not-yet/) [John D. MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-macdonald/) > [Peace is the first thing the angels sang. Peace is the mark of the children of God. Peace is the nurse of love. Peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-i/peace-is-the-first-thing-the-angels-sang-peace-is-the-mark-of-the/) [Pope Leo I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-i/) > [There are two kinds of beauty; there is a beauty which God gives at birth, and which withers as a flower. And there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/there-are-two-kinds-of-beauty-there-is-a-beauty-which-god-gives-at/) [Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/) > [If I have a system it is limited to a recognition of what Kierkegaard called 'the infinite qualitative distinction' between time and eternity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-barth/if-i-have-a-system-it-is-limited-to-a-recognition-of-what-kierkegaard/) [Karl Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-barth/) > [Only alone can you go into eternity. Only alone can you feel the transcendental light. It is not a shared experience because if it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/only-alone-can-you-go-into-eternity-only-alone-can-you-feel-the/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [The religion of art, like the religion of politics, was born from the ruins of Christianity. Art inherited from the old religion the power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/the-religion-of-art-like-the-religion-of-politics-was-born-from-the/) [Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/) > [I think we all have a core that's ecstatic, that knows and that looks up in wonder. We all know that there are marvelous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/coleman-barks/i-think-we-all-have-a-core-that-s-ecstatic-that-knows-and-that-looks/) [Coleman Barks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/coleman-barks/) > [One of our great allies at present is the Church itself. Do not misunderstand me. I do not mean the Church as we see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/one-of-our-great-allies-at-present-is-the-church-itself-do-not/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [Heaven? Floating about with everyone you ever knew for eternity? Me family does me 'ed in after one day at xmas, I'd rather be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-pilkington/heaven-floating-about-with-everyone-you-ever-knew-for-eternity-me/) [Karl Pilkington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-pilkington/) > [What does the future, that half of time, matter to the man who is infatuated with eternity?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-m-cioran/what-does-the-future-that-half-of-time-matter-to-the-man-who-is/) [Emile M. Cioran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-m-cioran/) > [You and I are both life. There's just the experience of every moment. We like to call them moments. There isn't really such a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/you-and-i-are-both-life-there-s-just-the-experience-of-every-moment/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [You've decided to love me for eternity, I'm still deciding who I want to be today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ani-difranco/you-ve-decided-to-love-me-for-eternity-i-m-still-deciding-who-i-want/) [Ani DiFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ani-difranco/) > [You may have some friends that come and go, but having a friend like God will last forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alyssa-tillmon/you-may-have-some-friends-that-come-and-go-but-having-a-friend-like/) [Alyssa Tillmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alyssa-tillmon/) > [There, in the center of that silence was not eternity but the death of time and a loneliness so profound the word itself had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-morrison/there-in-the-center-of-that-silence-was-not-eternity-but-the-death-of/) [Toni Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-morrison/) [Browse all 3,482 Eternity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eternity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Eternity is a terrible thought. 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