There is no feeling, except the extremes of fear and grief, that does not find relief in music.
T. S. EliotRead
i will show you fear in a handful of dust." t.s. eliot we don't actually fear death, we fear that no one will notice our absence, that we will disappear without a trace.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The fear of death is closely tied to the desire for recognition and legacy.
This quote reflects T.S. Eliot's contemplation on the nature of fear, particularly regarding death. It suggests that our deepest fear is not death itself, but the thought of dying without leaving a mark on the world or being remembered by others, highlighting the human need for connection and significance in life.
Themes
FearDeathLegacyAbsenceRecognition
In practice
Example use cases
During a memorial speech, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of being remembered.
More from T. S. Eliot
All quotes →Half of the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don't mean to do harm. But the harm does not interest them.
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I am an Anglo-Catholic in religion, a classicist in literature and a royalist in politics.
T. S. EliotRead
If you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?
T. S. EliotRead
For I have known them all already, known them all— Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons, I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.
T. S. EliotRead
In the faint moonlight, the grass is singing
T. S. EliotRead
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