Thomas Mann — Quote from The Magic Mountain
“A human being would certainly not grow to be seventy or eighty years old if this longevity had no meaning for the species. The afternoon of human life must also have a significance of its own.”
The Magic Mountain (1924)
Concepts: meaning, authenticity, agency
Resonant Quotes
- “Since we're all going to die, it's obvious that when and how don't matter.” — Albert Camus, The Stranger Mann's assertion that longevity itself implies meaning directly challenges Camus's nihilistic dismissal of mortality'...
- “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” — Søren Kierkegaard, Journals Mann's notion that life's later stages hold unique significance resonates deeply with Kierkegaard's temporal paradox,...
- “Hope is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certain...” — Václav Havel, Disturbing the Peace Mann's faith in the inherent significance of life's later phases perfectly parallels Havel's understanding of meaning...
- “The real question is whether the brighter future is really always so distant....” — Václav Havel, The Power of the Powerless Mann's faith in life's teleological meaning resonates with Havel's conviction that transformative possibilities alrea...
- “Hope is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certain...” — Václav Havel, Disturbing the Peace Both authors ground human meaning in intrinsic significance rather than outcomes—Mann's 'afternoon of life' and Havel...
- “There is but one truly serious philosophical problem, and that is suicide. Ju...” — Albert Camus, The Myth of Sisyphus Mann's assertion that human longevity must have inherent significance directly counters the premise underlying Camus'...
- “In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invinci...” — Albert Camus, Return to Tipasa Both quotes celebrate the discovery of hidden depths within human experience—Camus finding inner warmth amid external...
- “For me, forgiveness and compassion are always linked: how do we hold people a...” — bell hooks, All About Love Both recognize the profound significance of human duration and development, suggesting that sustained engagement with...