Elders Quote by Will Cuppy
“Pliny the Elder perished in 79 A.D. when he refused to flee from the great eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, insisting that everything would be all right. It wasn't.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Death of Pliny” by Will Cuppy, 1935
Pliny's refusal to flee the eruption leads to his death, illustrating fatalism and the danger of denial.
In simple terms: Denial of danger leads to death.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge risks, act wisely.
Themes
risk
denial
fatalism
Mood
somber
ironic
Type
historical
satirical
When to use this quote
- natural disasters
- personal safety
Key Concepts
history
philosophy
humor
Questions to Reflect On
- What risks are you ignoring?
- How do you balance optimism with caution?
A Different Perspective
The anecdote may be historically inaccurate.
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![“[Pliny the Elder] used to say that “no book was so bad but some good might be got out of it.” quote by Pliny the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/13e/pliny-the-younger-15981_books_pliny-the-elder-used-to-say-that-no-book_691761.jpg)
![“[Footnote:] Pliny the Elder described a Whale called "Balaena or Whirlpool, which is so long and broad as to take up more in length and breadth than two acres of ground." This brings up again the old question: Are the classics doomed? Our ancestors believed that four years of this sort of…” quote by Will Cuppy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1c1/will-cuppy-7569_acres_footnote-pliny-the-elder-described-a-wha_84284.jpg)
![“[Footnote:] The female of any species is generally regarded as a relatively anabolic organism, more passive than the male, who is relatively katabolic and active. The fact remains that one frequently runs across a rather katabolic female.” quote by Will Cuppy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b43/will-cuppy-7569_active_footnote-the-female-of-any-species-is-ge_381362.jpg)
