“One moment’s inattention, and the long expected death came at last—unexpectedly! In that agonized moment, sprawled helpless upon the uncaring ground, Polletti realized that no preparation for one’s own death is possible. Death has had too much experience in catching men off guard, in piercing their attitudes and reducing their poses.”

Source: The 10th Victim (1965), Chapter 15 (p. 126)

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "One moment’s inattention, and the long expected death came at last—unexpectedly! In that agonized moment, sprawled help…" by Robert Sheckley?
Robert Sheckley photo
Robert Sheckley 114
American writer 1928–2005

Related quotes

Emil M. Cioran photo

“There is no one whose death I have not longed for, at one moment or another.”

Emil M. Cioran (1911–1995) Romanian philosopher and essayist

Drawn and Quartered (1983)

Friedrich Schiller photo

“Life is but a moment. Death is but a moment, too.”

Das Leben ist Nur ein Moment, der Tod ist auch nur einer!
Maria Stuart, Act III, sc. vi (1800)

Oliver Goldsmith photo

“To the last moment of his breath
On hope the wretch relies;
And e'en the pang preceding death
Bids expectation rise.”

Oliver Goldsmith (1728–1774) Irish physician and writer

Act II.
The Captivity, An Oratorio (1764)

G. I. Gurdjieff photo

“Man has the possibility of existence after death. But possibility is one thing and the realization of the possibility is quite a different thing.”

G. I. Gurdjieff (1866–1949) influential spiritual teacher, Armenian philosopher, composer and writer

In Search of the Miraculous (1949)

Quentin Tarantino photo

“I look at Death Proof and realize I had too much time.”

Quentin Tarantino (1963) American film director, screenwriter, producer, and actor

http://web.archive.org/20090520151810/www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/features/interviews_profiles/e3i07c80a70350aca72e68eea8ffc6de060.

Laurell K. Hamilton photo
George Holmes Howison photo
Letitia Elizabeth Landon photo

“One sweet whisper from her came;
And he drank to catch her breath, —
Wine and sigh alike are death!”

Letitia Elizabeth Landon (1802–1838) English poet and novelist

(1836-3) (Vol.48) Subjects for Pictures. Second Series. II. A Supper of Madame de Brinvilliers
The Monthly Magazine

Related topics