Of course his dust would be absorbed in other living things and to that degree at least he would exist again, though it was plain enough that the specific combination which was he would never exist again.
Interpretation
This quote reflects on the idea of life, death, and the continuity of existence through nature's cycles.
Gore Vidal's quote encapsulates the philosophical notion that while an individual's unique identity ceases to exist after death, their physical elements become part of the ongoing cycle of life. It suggests a form of immortality through nature, where one's essence is transformed and integrated into other living beings, highlighting the interconnectedness of all life.
In practice
In a eulogy, to express the idea that our loved ones live on through nature.
We must declare ourselves, become known; allow the world to discover this subterranean life of ours which connects kings and farm boys, artists and clerks. Let them see that the important thing is not the object of love, but the emotion itself.
American writers want to be not good but great; and so are neither.
Writing fiction has become a priestly business in countries that have lost their faith.
The important thing is not the object of love, but the emotion itself.
For the average American, freedom of speech is simply the freedom to repeat what everyone else is saying and no more.
Ayn Rand's 'philosophy' is nearly perfect in its immorality, which makes the size of her audience all the more ominous and symptomatic as we enter a curious new phase in our society.... To justify and extol human greed and egotism is to my mind not only immoral, but evil.
When a nation is filled with strife, then do patriots flourish.
Adult life is dealing with an enormous amount of questions that don't have answers. So I let the mystery settle into my music. I don't deny anything, I don't advocate anything, I just live with it.
The idea that human kind can shape the world according to wish is what I call the fatal conceit
People never leave, we are always here in our past and future lives.
The Master gives himself up to whatever the moment brings. He knows that he is going to die, and her has nothing left to hold on to: no illusions in his mind, no resistances in his body. He doesn't think about his actions; they flow from the core of his being. He holds nothing back from life; therefore he is ready for death, as a man is ready for sleep after a good day's work.
He was a great patriot, a humanitarian, a loyal friend; provided, of course, he really is dead.
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