Quotes With Meaning
The melancholy of the antique world seems to me more profound than that of the moderns, all of whom more or less imply that beyond the dark void lies immortality. But for the ancients that ‘black hole’ is infinity itself; their dreams loom and vanish against a background of immutable ebony. No crying out, no convulsions—nothing but the fixity of the pensive gaze.
The melancholy of the antique world seems to me more profound than that of the moderns, all of whom more or less imply that beyond the dark void lies immortality. But for the ancients that ‘black hole’ is infinity itself; their dreams loom and vanish against a background of immutable ebony. No crying out, no convulsions—nothing but the fixity of the pensive gaze.
This quote delves into the contrasting views of life and death held by ancient and modern thinkers. Flaubert suggests that modern people often find solace in the belief of an afterlife, implying a sense of security in immortality. In contrast, ancient cultures faced the concept of death with a stark acceptance of the void that follows, seeing it as an infinite darkness rather than a gateway to another existence. Their reflections on mortality lack the turmoil often associated with modern anxieties. Instead, they exhibit a calm contemplation, suggesting a profound depth in their understanding of life’s transience. This perspective urges us to confront our own mindset about death and existence, inviting a deeper exploration of what it means to embrace life fully. Ultimately, it encourages a thoughtful engagement with our reality rather than evasion.