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.
Life is very, very simple and easy to understand, but we complicate it with the beliefs and ideas that we create.
Freemasonry teaches not merely temperance, fortitude, prudence, justice, brotherly love, relief, and truth, but liberty, equality, and fraternity, and it denounces ignorance, superstition, bigotry, lust tyranny and despotism.
As a historian, I'm sceptical about conspiracy theories because the world is far too complicated to be managed by a few billionaires drinking scotch behind some closed doors. But I do think that the voters are correct in sensing that they're really losing power. And in reaction, they give the system an angry kick.
Hope humbly then; with trembling pinions soar;_x000D_ _x000D_ Wait the great teacher, Death, and God adore;_x000D_ _x000D_ What future bliss He gives not thee to know,_x000D_ _x000D_ But gives that hope to be thy blessing now.
Our individual life is brief, and perhaps the whole life of mankind will be brief if measured in astronomical scale
The world is not religious because religion is imposed upon us. The parents are in a hurry to impose; the church, the state, the country - everybody is in a hurry to impose a certain religion on the child. How foolish! How stupid! Religion needs maturity, great understanding, before one can choose.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.