“Bion used to say that the way to the shades below was easy; he could go there with his eyes shut.”
Bion, 3.
The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers (c. 200 A.D.), Book 4: The Academy
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Diogenes Laërtius107
biographer of ancient Greek philosophers 180–240Related quotes
Ilona Andrews American husband-and-wife novelist duo
Source: Magic Gifts
“The road to Hades is easy to travel; at any rate men pass away with their eyes shut.”
Bion of Borysthenes (-325–-246 BC) ancient greek philosopher
As quoted by Diogenes Laërtius, iv. 49.
Curtis Mayfield (1942–1999) American singer, songwriter, and record producer
(Don't Worry) If There's a Hell Below, from Curtis (1970).
Song lyrics
“Opening, my eyes say 'Let there be light',
Closing, they shut me in a coffin.”
Stephen Spender (1909–1995) English poet and man of letters
"The Human Situation"
The Still Centre (1939)
Context: And if this I were destroyed,
The image shattered,
My perceived, rent world would fly
In an explosion of final judgement
To the ends of the sky,
The colour in the iris of the eye.
Opening, my eyes say 'Let there be light',
Closing, they shut me in a coffin.
Eleanor Farjeon (1881–1965) English children's writer
Pegasus, St. 3 & 4, p. 181
The New Book of Days (1961)
Context: He could not be captured,
He could not be bought,
His running was rhythm,
His standing was thought;
With one eye on sorrow
And one eye on mirth,
He galloped in heaven
And gambolled on earth. And only the poet
With wings to his brain
Can mount him and ride him
Without any rein,
The stallion of heaven,
The steed of the skies,
The horse of the singer
Who sings as he flies.
Gilbert Ryle book The Concept of Mind
Source: The Concept of Mind (1949), Ch. VIII: Imagination, (2) Picturing and Seeing