"I am convinced that it is not the fear of death, of our lives ending that haunts our sleep so much as the fear... that as far as the world is concerned, we might as well never have lived"
- Harold Kushner
About this Quote
This quote by Harold Kushner speaks with the fear of insignificance and lack of purpose that much of us feel. It recommends that it is not the fear of death itself that haunts us, but the fear that our lives will have been meaningless and that we will have made no lasting effect on the world. This worry can be disabling, as it can lead to feelings of despondence and misery. It can also cause a sense of seriousness, as we strive to make our lives significant and leave an enduring tradition. Eventually, this quote serves as a pointer that our lives are precious and that we should make every effort to maximize them.
"One has children in the expectation of dying before them. In fact, you want to make damn sure you die before them, just as you plant a tree or build a house knowing, hoping that it will outlive you. That's how the human species has done as well as it has"
