Suddenness," he says. " You do not prepare, you do not explain, you do not apologize. Suddenly, you go. And with you, you take all contemplation, all consideration of your own departure. All the suffering that would have come from knowing comes after you are gone, and you are not a part of it.
Interpretation
Life's sudden changes can be jarring and leave us unprepared for the emotional aftermath.
This quote reflects on the abruptness of life's transitions and departures, suggesting that such moments often catch us off guard, leaving no time for preparation, explanation, or regret. The essence of the statement is that once someone has left, the contemplation of their departure and the associated pain are experienced only by those left behind, not by the one who has gone.
In practice
In a speech about the unpredictability of life, this quote emphasizes how sudden events can change everything.
When men die, they die in fear", he said. "They take everything they need from you, and as a doctor it is your job to give it, to comfort them, to hold their hand. But children die how they have been living - in hope. They don't know what's happening, so they expect nothing, they don't ask you to hold their hand - but you end up needing them to hold yours. With children, you're on your own. Do you understand?
Yesterday and tomorrow cross and mix on the skyline. The two are lost in a purple haze. One forgets, one waits.
The world is a divine dream, from which we may presently awake to the glories and certainties of day.
The envious die not once, but as oft as the envied win applause.
I hate to see complacency prevail in our lives when it's so directly contrary to the teaching of Christ.
Take care, lest an adventure is now offered you, which, if accepted, will plunge you in deepest woe.
There ain't no clean way to make a hundred million bucks.... Somewhere along the line guys got pushed to the wall, nice little businesses got the ground cut out from under them... Decent people lost their jobs.... Big money is big power and big power gets used wrong. It's the system.
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