---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have wanted to kill myself a hundred…"
description: "\"I have wanted to kill myself a hundred times, but somehow I am still in love with life. This ridiculous weakness is perhaps one of our more stupid mela..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ff/voltaire-173_burden_i-have-wanted-to-kill-myself-a-hundred-t_70304.jpg"
---

#  I have wanted to kill myself a hundred times, but somehow…

![“I have wanted to kill myself a hundred times, but somehow I am still in love with life. This ridiculous weakness is perhaps one of our more stupid melancholy propensities, for is there anything more stupid than to be eager to go on carrying a burden which one would gladly throw away, to loathe…” quote by Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ff/voltaire-173_burden_i-have-wanted-to-kill-myself-a-hundred-t_70304.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ff/voltaire-173_burden_i-have-wanted-to-kill-myself-a-hundred-t_70304.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ff/voltaire-173_burden_i-have-wanted-to-kill-myself-a-hundred-t_70304.jpg)

> “I have wanted to kill myself a hundred times, but somehow I am still in love with life. This ridiculous weakness is perhaps one of our more stupid melancholy propensities, for is there anything more stupid than to be eager to go on carrying a burden which one would gladly throw away, to loathe one’s very being and yet to hold it fast, to fondle the snake that devours us until it has eaten our hearts away?”

[Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker acknowledges persistent suicidal thoughts yet remains attached to life, highlighting a paradoxical love‑hate relationship with existence and the tendency to cling to suffering despite its destructiveness.

**In simple terms:** Life’s paradox of love and self‑destruction.

Key Takeaway

We often cling to pain even when we know it harms us.

Themes

existentialism self‑destruction paradox melancholy resilience

Mood

melancholic reflective introspective

Type

philosophical literary personal

When to use this quote

- deep depression
- existential crisis
- therapeutic reflection
- philosophical debate

Key Concepts

human condition psychological conflict attachment mortality

Practical Applications

- mental‑health counseling
- literary analysis

Questions to Reflect On

- What makes us cling to harmful states?
- How can love for life coexist with suicidal thoughts?

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