"The gods conceal from men the happiness of death, that they may endure life"
- Lucan
About this Quote
This quote by Lucan recommends that the gods have actually concealed the truth of death from people so that they can continue to live life. It indicates that death is a form of joy, and that the gods have actually kept this from us so that we can continue to experience life. This could be interpreted as a suggestion to appreciate life and maximize it, as death is a kind of release from the battles of life. It might likewise be translated as a caution that death is not something to be feared, but rather something to be accepted. The quote might be seen as a pointer that life is finite and that death is inevitable, so it is essential to take advantage of the time we have. Ultimately, this quote motivates us to live life to the maximum and to not be afraid of death.
"Life is life - whether in a cat, or dog or man. There is no difference there between a cat or a man. The idea of difference is a human conception for man's own advantage"