“It is striking how much more seriously we are likely to be taken after we have been dead a few centuries.”

— Alain de Botton , book The Consolations of Philosophy

Source: The Consolations of Philosophy (2000), Chapter IV, Consolation For Inadequacy, p. 163.

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 "It is striking how much more seriously we are likely to be taken after we have been dead a few centuries." by Alain de Botton?

Alain de Botton photo

Alain de Botton 146

Swiss writer 1969

Related quotes

“We want no more airstrikes. No more missile strikes. Is this too much to ask for?”

Olena Zelenska (1978) Ukrainian architect and screenwriter

"Taking spotlight, Ukrainian first lady pleads for more US arms" https://www.kbtx.com/2022/07/20/showing-wars-toll-ukrainian-first-lady-appeals-more-arms/, KPTX/AP, 20 July 2022
Address to the US Congress (20 July 2022)

“I regret not having taken more advantage of time — of the solidity of time, the intention of time. That’s why I don’t like to sleep much anymore. Had I known when I was 20 that I was going to be a musician, I would have taken to the piano, I would have taken the guitar more seriously, I would have perfected my knowledge of music.”

Julio Iglesias (1943) Spanish recording artist; singer-songwriter

On one of his biggest regrets in "Julio Iglesias reflects on a life that 'has been a miracle'" https://apnews.com/7ef030336a5b4a1a949723346d64ec51 in AP News (2019 Jun 14)

“[T]he American story depends not on any one of us, not on some of us, but on all of us, on we the people, who seek a more perfect union. This is a great nation. We are good people. And over the centuries, through storm and strife, in peace and in war, we′ve come so far, but we still have far to go.We′ll press forward with speed and urgency, for we have much to do in this winter of peril and significant possibilities. Much to repair, much to restore, much to heal, much to build, and much to gain. Few people in our nation′s history have been more challenged or found a time more challenging or difficult than the time we′re in now.”

Joe Biden (1942) 47th Vice President of the United States (in office from 2009 to 2017)

2021, January, Presidential Inaugural Address (2021)

“How about we have been dead and what we must do after we die? Why we go to the churches when we are living because I think the divines and Christs are dead in the churches and provide the services, cares and merrys on our lived people. And we received the peaceful mind from them and held a better life than before.”

Martin Firrell (1963) British artist and activist

"The Question Mark Inside" (2008)

“So before we end and then begin
We'll drink a toast to how it's been
A few more hours to be complete
A few more nights on satin sheets
A few more times that I can say
I've loved these days.”

Billy Joel (1949) American singer-songwriter and pianist

I've Loved These Days.
Song lyrics, Turnstiles (1976)

“In many ways connection has been disastrous. We have confused information (of which there has been too much of) with ideas (of which there are too few. I found out much more about the world and myself by being unconnected.”

Paul Theroux (1941) American travel writer and novelist

Fresh Air Fiend (2000)

“… if more people had been organ donors, unwinding never would have happened… but people like to keep what's theirs, even after they're dead.”

Neal Shusterman book Unwind

Source: Unwind

“After a few more centuries, perhaps the poorest billion will even be able to afford the $10.00 buffet.”

Brian Hayes (scientist) (1900) American scientist, columnist and author

Source: Group Theory in the Bedroom (2008), Chapter 3, Follow The Money, p. 61

“If I am asked, by credible organizations, to mediate, I will consider that very seriously. But a situation of this nature does not need an individual, it needs an organization like the United Nations to mediate.
We must understand the seriousness of this situation. The United States has made serious mistakes in the conduct of its foreign affairs, which have had unfortunate repercussions long after the decisions were taken.”

Nelson Mandela (1918–2013) President of South Africa, anti-apartheid activist

2000s, Newsweek interview (2002)

“Equally striking is the fact that racial anti-Semitism was not taken seriously even by the great majority of Nazis. ‘It is just a catchword to attract voters’ was a standing phrase which everybody repeated and believed, and that I took it seriously was more than once regarded as definite proof of my stupidity and gullibility.”

Peter F. Drucker (1909–2005) American business consultant

Source: 1930s- 1950s, The End of Economic Man (1939), p. 17

Related topics